Patients with COPD often make few complaints despite experiencing considerable disability. As well as the characteristic shortness of breath, the disease is associated with a number of comorbidities that can present major clinical problems. However, with early recognition and intervention, further deterioration can be prevented, and lung function, general health status and functional ability improved. In this fully updated third edition of 'Fast Facts: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease', the authors take a comprehensive look at: • the disease process, its causes and progression • the relationship between asthma and COPD • the investigations used to assess the severity and stage of COPD • the interventions that may reduce the risk of developing COPD • individualized patient management based on clinical features and comorbidities • current clinical guidelines from an international perspective • treatments that reduce symptoms and improve lung function in stable disease • the prevention and management of acute exacerbations • risk factor reduction, primarily through smoking cessation • future diagnostic and therapeutic developments. The easy-to-read, highly accessible format of this practical resource has been designed so that all primary care providers, specialist nurses, junior hospital doctors, paramedics, medical students and other allied healthcare professionals involved in the diagnosis and management of COPD can get up to speed on this multifaceted disease, fast! With clear take-home messages, it will also serve as a useful overview for researchers and specialists reading outside their subject area. weiterlesen