Chronic Obstructive Pulminary Disease is what it stands for. My dad got a collapsed lung and now has this disease.
2006-06-20 13:53:48 · 8 answers · asked by kewljen31 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Respiratory Diseases
http://www.everettclinic.com/kbase/topic/special/hw32559/sec1.htm
Check out this website, it has everything you need to know about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD. Hope this helps.
2006-06-20 14:00:02 · answer #1 · answered by Cricket 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD is a grouping of obstructive diseases rather than a specific disease itself. for instance well known emphysema is a COPD type of disease but so is bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, and a few others.
you probably have your fathers problem reversed. he likely had COPD which resulted in a collapsed lung (called atelectasis, or more probably pneumothorax). treatment is different for each one although the physiologic ramifications are about the same. both can be treated fairly easily but not always does the patient respond to the treatment as expected. once the lung is reinflated a patient is prone to future collapse. sometimes collapse is spontaneous for unknown reasons and can happen in known asthmatics, COPD patients, or many other types of lung diseases.
The obstructive nature of COPD means the person cant get air out. they breath in reasonably well but trap some air upon exhaling. over a period of years this air trapping results in many physiologic disablements of the lung, airways, and chest wall.
there is no cure for the group of diseases related to COPD. Asthma can be well managed into old age. Emphysema is a progressive disease without cure at this time. there are other associated lung problems related to COPD that over time also cannot be reversed. the general affect is upon the various airways, big and small, causing them to weaken and even collapse. much sputum production can be associated with this disease state, frequent infections, poor overall feeling of worth.
there is much that can be said about COPD but the end answer to your question is no it cant b e cured, and often causes collapsing of lung lobes, segments, or even a complete lung loss.
2006-06-20 15:27:08 · answer #2 · answered by gmillioni 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is no cure for COPD. It causes people to be able to breathe air in, but they have trouble exhaling it and it can cause a lung to collapse from having too much air in the lungs (I know it doesn't sound right, but it is). It progresses slowly, but does not ever go away. In time he may require low amounts of oxygen to help him get enough oxygen. The best thing he can do to help himself is to not smoke, or quit is he does smoke. Smoking hastens the progression of the disease. I hope this helps... good luck!!!
2006-06-20 13:58:07 · answer #3 · answered by softballer006 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
COPD is a generalized airway obstruction, generally with a combination of chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema. Meaning that the airways have generally gotten smaller and it makes it more difficult to breathe.... There is no cure, but it can be controlled depending on the individual circumstances. You are asking a really big question, that is a really diverse explanation. For more information, please contact a pulmonary specialist for more information
2006-06-20 14:03:43 · answer #4 · answered by lj 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
COPD is a catch all phrase for emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma.
COPD cannot be cured but it can be managed. It is not an automatic death sentence and many live many years with the disease even with very low lung function.
The important thing is to take care of yourself and listen to your body. When you are short of breath---rest
Eat a balanced diet.
Quit smoking
and make adjustments in your life...for example....go to the Tax Office and get a form for a handicap placard--take it to your dr to fill out so you can park nearer to the store when he wants to go shopping.
etc.
and check out this link to COPD International...there is a caregiver msg board there too. I learned alot here.
http://www.copd-international.com/
Good Luck!
2006-06-20 16:25:28 · answer #5 · answered by Moma 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No curing but he can live for years with the disease. IF he smokes, he needs to stop.
He is probably on oxygen (or will be if he isn't yet). and taking breathing treatments.
He needs to just do what he is able and not over exert himself.
2006-06-20 14:00:40 · answer #6 · answered by neona807 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
unfortunately there is no cure but only management of the disease....your Father needs to really take it easy now...
2006-06-20 13:56:41 · answer #7 · answered by celine8388 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it can be cured, only controlled with medications like Albuterol, Atrovent, Singulair, etc.
2006-06-20 13:58:31 · answer #8 · answered by b2dolla 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋