COPD
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A Cause
of Distress
By Jean Jeffers, Staff Writer
Margie is a woman in trouble. Her
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is in an advanced state.
Margie is short of breath (SOB),
especially with exertion, and she
fatigues easily, meaning that simple
household chores deplete her energy.
Consequently, she needs homemaker
services to provide meals, perform
personal care, and finish household
tasks. She can no longer drive a car
and depends on her grandson for
rides. Margie is isolated, afraid of
what is to come.
COPD is a disabling disease in
which two respiratory conditions —
chronic bronchitis and emphysema
— combine. One may occur without
the other in obstructive disease of
the lungs, but usually in COPD they
manifest together.
Dr. Bruce Broudy, a pulmonologist and staff physician at Lexington
Clinic, states that COPD runs on a
spectrum from mild to moderate to
severe. Furthermore, it is
only a partially reversible
disease; down the road
the damage
may become
irreversible.
COPD
may
present
and progress
quickly to severe disease, or it may
slowly worsen. Early treatment is recommended to allow easier breathing.
In the 1960s, COPD was seen
primarily as a disease of ‘hard-living,
booze-loving old men,’ usually persons who had smoked a