Acute Exacerbation Of Copd Causes

In the developing world copd often occurs in people exposed to fumes from burning fuel for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated homes.

Acute exacerbation of copd causes. Severe exacerbations may also have pulmonary edema fluid in your lungs and blood clots in the lungs. Other causes of exacerbations may include sinus infections an asthma attack indoor and outdoor air pollution or an allergic reaction not usually food allergies. While copd is a mainly chronic disease a substantial number of patients suffer from exacerbations which are defined as an acute worsening of respiratory symptoms requiring a change in treatment. When you experience a copd exacerbation you may need to use rapid acting treatment such as a bronchodilator inhaler.

Known viral causes of exacerbations of copd include rhinoviruses influenza parainfluenza coronavirus adenovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. The main cause of copd in developed countries is tobacco smoking. Infections and air pollution trigger copd attacks by causing the lungs to become irritated and inflamed. In many cases an exacerbation is caused by an infection in the lungs but in some cases the cause is never known.

In most cases a copd exacerbation has direct links to an infection in the lungs or the body. Infection or irritants can cause this inflammation. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease copd is the third leading cause of death worldwide 1. However around 30 of exacerbations have an unknown cause.

Respiratory infection being responsible for approximately half of copd exacerbations. Exacerbations can occur as a result of an infection exposure to irritant fumes or for other reasons and they can also happen without an identifiable cause. As the lungs tend to be vulnerable organs due to their exposure to harmful particles in the air several things can cause an acute exacerbation of copd. A copd exacerbation is usually triggered by inflammation in the lungs.