Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an all too too common lung condition - usually caused by cigarette smoking - which varies markedly in severity between individuals, and includes conditions previously known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It causes progressive symptoms such as breathlessness, wheezing, coughing, reduced exercise tolerance and frequent chest infections. COPD: The Facts is written for patients with COPD and their families, but it will also be of interest to health professionals. The book describes in detail how a diagnosis is made and what treatments patients are likely to receive. It discusses modern approaches to the management of COPD (both with and without drugs) and includes examples of real-life patient experiences throughout the text, answers to the most frequently asked questions, and advice on how to give up smoking.

Table of Contents

1. How the normal lungs work; 2. What is COPD?; 3. Making the diagnosis of COPD; 4. Giving up smoking; 5. Managing COPD without drugs; 6. Managing COPD with drugs; 7. Inhaler devices; 8. Oxygen and COPD; 9. Episodes of worsening symptoms (exacerbations); 10. Glossary of drugs and further information

Reviews

...this book is highly useful and deserves the interest of (COPD) patients, their families and their carers...all the important and practical aspects of COPD are covered...this concise book...may help, in some way, to reduce the burden of COPD in the community at large, and the author should be congratulated for the quality of this contribution. European Respiratory Review