Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (PDF)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is increasing rapidly
worldwide and it's predicted that by 2020 it will represent the
third leading cause of death. Sadly, this slow-progressing
debilitating disease not only affects the individual but also has
consequences for the family. More positively, the urgent need to
improve the care offered and to raise the public profile of the
condition has now been recognised. Healthcare providers play a
central role in this, through health education, early diagnosis and
better management through all stages of the disease.

Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease provides
an insight into this debilitative condition. The book aims to
develop nurses' and allied health professionals' knowledge and
skills in caring for individuals with COPD. It takes the reader on
a journey from diagnosis through to end-of-life care and
examines:

* Initial diagnosis and symptom management

* Smoking cessation

* Pulmonary rehabilitation

* The management of acute episodes

* The role of each member of the multi-disciplinary team

* Quality of life, including nutrition, fatigue management and
leisure activities

* The future for the care and management of people with the
condition.

Healthcare professionals from multi-disciplinary teams have
contributed to this book to demonstrate that a co-ordinated
approach for these patients is required across both primary and
secondary care. Managing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease can be utilised by nurses and allied health
professionals caring for patients at all stages of their
disease.