Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Prognosis
Click here for larger image.COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is not contagious. It is a major cause of death and illness throughout the world. In fact, it is the fourth leading cause of death -- both in the United States and worldwide.
COPD is a chronic, debilitating, progressive disease of the lower respiratory tract in the lungs. It is the persistent obstruction of the airways occurring with emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or both disorders. Difficulty with breathing that slowly gets worse over time is the hallmark of this disease. If you have COPD, you are more likely to have lung infections, which can be fatal. If the lungs are severely damaged, the heart may be affected as well. Over time the condition worsens it can be treated only to improve the symptoms; but there is no cure. COPD results from Emphysema and Chronic obstructive bronchitis.
Symptoms of COPD include:
- Daily Morning Cough
- Shortness of breath, especially with exertion, an ongoing loose cough that produces large amount of mucus
- Wheezing and chest tightness
- And as the disease advances:
- Altered mental status, fatigue, confusion, anxiety, dizziness, and cyanosis (blue tinged coloring of the skin, especially around the mouth in the extremities, symptoms are related to a lack of oxygen in the blood)
Causes of COPD
- Tobacco smoking is the most common and significant cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Environmental exposure to severe and persistent pollution
- Occupational involving exposure to dusts or noxious gases
- Gastro-Esophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)
- Familial and hereditary factors may also predispose a person to COPD. A rare cause of COPD is a hereditary condition in which the body produces a markedly decreased amount of the protein alpha1-antitrypsin.
The Course of COPD
As there is no cure and the disease progressively worsens the patient is faced with continued debilitation. More-so as breathing is impacted anxiety results and activity is shunned from fear of difficulty breathing. Symptomatic relief and prevention of aggravating factors can benefit patients with COPD.
COPD Prognosis Using PrognostiCheck®
PrognostiCheck® illustrates where the patient is on the trajectory of the progression of COPD and shows the 'Burden of the Illness' the patient is experiencing. For instance if the normal Scoring value for the patient is 7 and their value is 5 the loss of 2 is the burden of disease experienced by this patient. By learning these numbers the patient, family and physician can work to see how to improve the score or to stop the score from lowering as fast. Improvements can be made through treatments, nutrition and activity. The score can help to motivate the patient to comply with treatment and go the extra effort to be more active, exercise and improve their nutrition. If the score cannot be improved them the patient can be transitioned to palliative and hospice care to better treat their immediate needs and to clearly understand their condition. The scoring results provide an objective and accurate means to make controlled end-of-life decisions.
A prognosis is a medical opinion as to the likely course and outcome of a disease. The PrognostiCheck® 'Biometric Scoring System' for prognosis based upon a noninvasive diagnostic test that objectively, accurately and immediately illustrates how serious a disease condition is and if treatment is working (so symptoms can be improved if possible). Unlike statistical or mathematical programs the measurement of the individual patient provides clear illustration of the patient's condition right now and over time as treatment ensues and disease progresses.
"The system is based upon the discovery that the health of cell membranes reflects the overall health of the patient and detects any disease condition before lab studies; imaging techniques and physical examination can see them".
The information can be used to measure the benefits of treatment and determine recovery. The test electrically illustrates the vitality of cell membranes looking 'up-stream' in the process of physiology to a level that occurs earlier than usual tests. By providing better information sooner the results can be used by patients, families and physicians to make superior healthcare decisions in any disease condition including cancer, heart disease, diabetes, pulmonary disorders, hepatitis and more."