100 Questions & Answers About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Concise, easy-to-read paperback book

Provides both the patient's and the physician's perspective on COPD

The question and answer format mimics an actual physician consultation

Provides practical answers to questions about diagnosis, treatment options, care giving, quality of life, sources of support, and more

Introduction

Prologue

Part 1:What is COPD?

Questions 1–15 define COPD and its causes, and provide fundamental information

about the disorder, including:

• What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder?

• Is there a cure for COPD?

Part 2:COPD Complications and Associated Diseases

Questions 16–25 discuss and define respiratory failure, hyperinflated lungs, pneumonia,

and other complications of COPD, including:

• Are there complications from COPD?

• Is depression a problem in patients with COPD?

• What is pulmonary bulla?

Part 3: Lung Function Monitoring

Questions 26–31 describe diagnostic tests and discuss their importance, including:

• Is early detection of COPD helpful?

• What are pulmonary function tests?

• What is spirometry?

Part 4: Living with COPD

Questions 32–53 cover exacerbation of COPD, the steps in a COPD action plan,

and outline a checklist of medical tests and procedures, and other patient advice,

including:

• I’m usually short of breath, even with minor exertion. How do I know if my

COPD is getting worse?

• I don’t want to bother my doctor unnecessarily about my illness. When should I

call him about my symptoms?

• What is a “COPD action plan”?

Part 5: Smoking and COPD

Questions 54–56 correct myths about smoking and COPD, and provide realistic

and helpful advice for quitting, including:

• I’ve been smoking for 30 years and have already been diagnosed with COPD.

Isn’t the damage already done? Do I have to quit smoking?

• How do I stop smoking?

Part 6: Medical Treatment of COPD

Questions 57–73 define beta antagonists, steroids, expectorants, and provide specific

treatment suggestions for different level COPD sufferers, including:

• What are bronchodilators?

• Why do I need a flu vaccine?

Part 7: Oxygen Therapy for COPD

Questions 74–76 suggest general guidelines for proper care and safety of oxygen and

oxygen medical equipment, and define oxygen related therapy, including:

• What is supplemental oxygen therapy?

• When does a patient require oxygen therapy?

Part 8: Rehabilitation for COPD

Questions 77–83 discuss the steps in a pulmonary rehabilitation program, and

answer common concerns about COPD rehabilitation, including:

• What is pulmonary rehabilitation?

• Am I a candidate for pulmonary rehabilitation?

Part 9: Surgical Treatment of COPD

Questions 84–92 explain bullectomy and other surgical treatments of COPD,

including:

• Am I a candidate for lung-volume reduction surgery?

• Who is a candidate for lung transplantation?

Part 10:Nutritional Guidelines for People with COPD

Questions 93–100 discuss the effects of deficient diets, anabolic steroids, alternative

medicines, and other nutrition related aspects of COPD, including:

• What is the impact of nutrition on immunity?

• My doctor says that I’m malnourished. What should I do?

Appendix

Glossary

Index

• "This easy to read book dealing with complex issues in COPD is a must read book for healthcare professionals dealing with patients with the disease. It's definitely a highly recommended book for patients and family, offering helpful guidance and advice they need with this disabling condition."

  --Mihirkumar Gandhi, MD
  William Beaumont Hospitals
  Doody's Book Review Service
  April 2006

  
  "This is an excellent, well written, easy-to-understand book with a common sense approach to understanding COPD, smoking cessation, and other related lung diseases."

  --Patricia A. Tietjen, MD
  Associate Professor of Medicine, New York Medical College
  Chief, Pulmonary Medicine, Saint Vincent's Hospital
  New York, NY