Treatments
Two Modifiable Risk Factors
smoking cessation
Most common modifiable risk factor
Smoking
Subjective Signs and Symptoms
Difficulty breathing
Reported Weight loss
Non-pharmacological lower respiratory treatment
Chest physiotherapy (breathing exercises)
Occupational causes
chemicals
dust
Objective Signs and Symptoms
Wheezing
Tachypnea
Low oxygen saturation (<90%)
Pharmacological Interventions (x3)
Nebulizer
Medication
Oxygen
Environmental cause
air pollutants
Severe Signs and Symptoms
Cyanosis
Jugular vein distention
Invasive respiratory procedures (x2)
Lung Volume reduction surgery
Lung transplant
Genetic cause
anti-protease deficiency
Chronic Signs and Symptoms
Finger Clubbing
Barrel Chest
What destroys and eliminates particulates inhaled during breathing. Elevated levels of this damage the alveoli and break down elastin.
Protease