COPD - NHS patient education video

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic disorder with high mortality rates (one of the top 5 causes of death). 10% of people worldwide over the age of 40 are affected by COPD.

COPD is expected to rise to the third leading cause of death worldwide by 2030. More than 25% of COPD patients have never been smokers.



From NHS Choices YouTube channel: COPD (bronchitis and emphysema) affects an estimated three million people in the UK, and smoking is a major cause. There is a lot that can be done to relieve the symptoms and improve your quality of life.

Differential diagnosis of cough, a simple mnemonic is GREAT BAD CAT TOM. Click here to enlarge the image: (GERD (reflux), Laryngopharyngeal Reflux (LPR), Rhinitis (both allergic and non-allergic) with post-nasal drip (upper airway cough syndrome), Embolism, e.g. PE in adults, Asthma, TB (tuberculosis), Bronchitis, pneumonia, pertussis, Aspiration, e.g foreign body in children, Drugs, e.g. ACE inhibitor, CF in children, Cardiogenic, e.g. mitral stenosis in adults, Achalasia in adults, Thyroid enlargement, e.g. goiter, "Thoughts" (psychogenic), Other causes, Malignancy, e.g. lung cancer in adults).



Related reading:

Controversies in COPD treatment http://bit.ly/1chf02V
Replacing the terms asthma and COPD with "A to E" of airway disease? http://bit.ly/1chf1E8
2 in 3 people with known risk factors for COPD don't know they have the disease http://bit.ly/1chf4zL
Diagnosis and Management of COPD - Current Guidelines http://bit.ly/1chf56T