Question

1. What causes death in patients with COPD - respiratory causes or other causes? Why?

2. What are the three types of bronchodilators, and how do they function to alleviate the symptoms of COPD?

Answer 1

COPD means Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

This disease include Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema mainly and other like Asthma Atelectasis.

Answer 1

The cause of death in COPD

Respiratory Causes-

Pulmonary Infection- Due to infection the respiratory tract is obstructed with mucus and gaseous exchange will not occurs properly.

Respiratory Failure- Respiratory failure is the most common cause of death in COPD. Due to Chronic infection the lung alveoli and respiratory tree is destructed(Emphysema). So the proper gas exchange is not occurs and body's oxygen demand is not fulfill. And due to hypoxia death may occurred.

Pulmonary Embolism- It also may cause death of patient.Pulmonary Embolism may develop in lung alveoli because alveoli is not working and they permanently dilated.so here embolism may develop and it may obstruct the blood flow of lungs and other body parts.

Lung Cancer- Due to Chronic irritation, inflammatio and destruction of lung cells the lung cancer may develop in this patient and it may further make the sever complicated.

Other Causes-

Cardiac Failure-

It is major cause in this condition because Chronic hypoxia condition the heart try to compensate the hypoxia but due lungs not work properly and heart could not meet the oxygen demand of body and Heart failure may occure.

PH changes-

Due to hypoxia and hypercapnia the acid base imbalance occurs mainly Respiratory Acidosis. It may also reason of Death.

ANSWER 2

Broncho dilators

These are the drugs which dilate the respiratory tract to treat the broncho constriction.

Types of Brochodilators

1. Beta adrenergic Brochodilators-These drugs dilate the airway by relax the smooth muscles of bronchial airway.these are beta 2 Agonist.

Example- Salbutamol, Salmeterol

2.Anticholinergic Bronchodilator- Acetyl choline is neurotransmitter in Parasympathetic nervous system and this system cause Broncho constriction. Anticholinergic drugs block the effect of acetylcholine results cause Brochodilation and relax the muscles Treat Asthmatic conditions.

Example- Ipratropium

3. Xanthine Derivative - It also dilate or open the airway by relaxing the smooth muscles of airway and suppress the stimulation factor that cause Broncho constriction.

So it also alleviate the symptoms of COPD.

Example- Theophylline