Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?

COPD is a term that refers to a group of lung diseases that can interfere with normal breathing. It is estimated that more than 12.1 million Americans suffer from COPD. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the US.

What are the different types of COPD?

The two most common conditions of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Some physicians agree that asthma should be classified as a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, while others do not. A brief description of asthma, is included below:

What causes COPD?

The causes of COPD are not fully understood. It is generally agreed that the most important cause of chronic bronchitis and emphysema is cigarette smoking. Other causes such as air pollution and occupational exposures may play a role, especially when combined with cigarette smoking. Heredity may also be a factor.

Rehabilitation for COPD:

In order to reach these goals, COPD rehabilitation programs may include the following:

• medication management
  
  
• exercises to decrease respiratory symptoms and improve muscle strength and endurance
  
  
• respiratory treatments to improve breathing ability
  
  
• assistance with obtaining respiratory equipment and portable oxygen
  
  
• methods to increase independence with activities of daily living (ADLs)
  
  
• exercises for physical conditioning and improved endurance
  
  
• stress management, relaxation exercises, and emotional support
  
  
• smoking cessation programs
  
  
• nutritional counseling
  
  
• patient and family education and counseling
  
  
• vocational counseling

The COPD rehabilitation team:

• pulmonologist
• respiratory therapist
• physiatrist
• internist
• rehabilitation nurse
• dietitian
• physical therapist
• occupational therapist
• social worker
• psychologist/psychiatrist
• recreational therapist
• case manager
• chaplain
• vocational therapist

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Lung Care
at Rush

The Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, provides inpatient and outpatient consultation, evaluation and state-of-the-art treatment for a wide range of acute and chronic lung diseases.

Diseases treated include acute respiratory failure, asthma, bronchitis, carbon monoxide poisoning, chronic cough, cystic fibrosis, dyspnea (shortness of breath), emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary rehabilitation, sleep disorders, pneumonia, tuberculosis and other pulmonary infections.

For more information about lung care services at Rush visit our Pulmonary and Critical Care home page.

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