Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

An acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a critical condition characterized by a sharp increase in breathing, coughing, increased sputum volume or discoloration of sputum. Immediate medical attention is required to prevent further deterioration of the condition. Timely identification and measures are important for reducing the risk of hospitalization and improving prognosis.

Acute COPD attacks are usually triggered by infections (such as respiratory infections caused by bacteria or viruses), air pollution, smoking, or other environmental stimuli. Cold weather or poor health (such as heart failure or other comorbidities) may also be triggers. Symptoms of an acute attack include significantly worsening dyspnea, severe coughing, fatigue, and thick or purulent sputum. If not treated promptly, an acute attack may lead to hypoxemia, carbon dioxide retention, and even respiratory failure. Patients should be alert to changes in symptoms and seek medical attention immediately and properly if necessary.

For treatment, in addition to oxygen therapy, common drug treatments include short-acting bronchodilators (such as salbutamol spray), systemic glucocorticoids (such as oral or intravenous prednisone) and antibiotics (such as amoxicillin, levofloxacin, etc., only used in bacterial infections). Patients with conditions can also choose non-invasive ventilation (such as BiPAP) to improve hypoxia and carbon dioxide retention. In daily management, you should follow the doctor's advice to reasonably inhale long-term medications (such as tiotropium bromide or inhaled glucocorticoids), refrain from smoking, and perform pulmonary rehabilitation exercises such as breathing exercises and walking training to enhance lung function.

When facing an acute attack of COPD, you should stay calm and seek medical help in time. At the same time, you need to take preventive measures in your daily life, such as avoiding exposure to polluted environments, getting flu and pneumonia vaccines, using a humidifier to keep the air moist to relieve respiratory irritation, etc. Effective management of the disease can not only improve the quality of life, but also delay the progression of the disease. Even when facing the disease, please be full of hope for life. Scientific management and treatment can greatly improve the prognosis.