3/2007Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in family doctor’s practice

BOGUMIŁA CYNOWSKA (Katedra i Klinika Pneumonologii Akademii Medycznej w Gdańsku;Kierownik: prof. dr hab. med. Jan Marek Słomiński)

Summary
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the main public health problem in Poland and all over the world. COPD is the chronic, progressive disease which is characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive and is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases, primarily caused by cigarette smoking. Clinical symptoms are not very characteristic, manifested late and because of that the early diagnosis is difficult. For diagnosis and assessing severity of the disease spirometry test should be done. The most important for management of patients with COPD is early diagnosis, prophylaxis, pharmacological treatment and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Key words: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), diagnosis, treatment