Introduction
COPD entails various diseases that contribute to breathing issues and airflow blockage. Remarkably, COPD is a common fatal respiratory tract pathology affecting approximately half a million individuals worldwide (Szalontai et al., 2021). This disease manifests through enduring provocative triggers to irritations such as tobacco smoke. COPD is considered the third most significant death cause globally (Szalontai et al., 2021). The disease is associated with long-lasting aspects involving an irreversible decrease of enforced expiratory volume. COPD mortality and incidence are higher in males than females and increase with age.
Influence of Socioeconomic Status (SES)
Economic status influences mental perception and awareness of COPD. Adults with lower income, education, and occupation are linked to higher smoking resulting in COPD prevalence (Szalontai et al., 2021). Therefore, there is a correlation between COPD and socioeconomic status (SES) among adults. Notably, awareness about COPD preventive measures is lower, resulting in this population failing to engage in early diagnosis. Adults with low SES are likely to have a higher prevalence of this disease.
Influence of Culture
Different cultures have different livelihoods, perceptions, and beliefs. Some cultures allow smoking, while others do not. Since COPD is highly associated with smoking, cultures that have elevated levels of smoking predispose their population to the development of COPD. Additionally, cultural challenges, language barriers, and literacy issues may affect how informed these people are about the risk factors for the condition that would serve to promote it.
Influence of Gender
The main risk factor for COPD, which is mainly associated with men, is tobacco use. It has been suggested that women may be more at risk of smoking-induced pulmonary function degradation for a comparable level of tobacco smoking than men, even with the growing tobacco use in women increasing their COPD prevalence (Somayaji & Chalmers, 2022). Women and men may phenotypically respond to cigarette smoke differently. Men are more likely to develop emphysema than women who have an airway-predominant phenotype.
Influence of Ethnicity and Spirituality
COPD is a complicated polygenic illness, and ethnicity can affect polygenicity. The ethnic differences in COPD prevalence result from the large categories of ethnic disparities in the access and availability of care, normal spirometry, predisposition to the disease, or smoking habits and access to care (Aiyer et al., 2020). In some cases, spirituality deteriorates mental health among COPD due to the suffering they experience. For example, some religious cultures do not believe in biomedical treatments or interventions, resulting in the psychological and physical deterioration of such patients.
Adult Lifespan-Related Risks to COPD, Role Change, and Life Transitions
Young Adults. In addition to smoking, airway hyperreactivity, a family asthmatic history, and childhood respiratory infections are the key risk factors for COPD in young adults. The role change requires hygiene changes such as reduced or abstinence from smoking (World Health Organization, 2022). Middle Adults. Since they belong to the working class and have risk factors, including years of exposure to industrial toxins or cigarette smoke, these people are most at risk of developing COPD. Older adults. Along with thoracic muscle weakness, aging may make it more difficult for tissues to repair and heal themselves (Johnson, 2018). Changing roles requires participating in social support networks and taking preventative medical measures like early screening.
Physiological, Psychological, or Iatrogenic Risks
Physiological risks. Physiological concerns like illness progression and death are connected to COPD. Advanced illness and airflow blockade are all consequences of late diagnosis. Psychological risks. Missing the potential to reduce diagnosis and navigating treatment difficulties are two psychological dangers that may cause psychological issues that make it difficult to follow the treatment plan. Iatrogenic risks. Hospitalized COPD patients get additional oxygen during treatment. However, for some hypercapnic patients, excessive oxygen can be harmful.
Behaviors Affecting the Risks
Young adults. The behaviors affecting this group are healthy choices where most begin smoking, which increases their risk of COPD when combined with other genetic and environmental factors. Middle adults. Working exposes this group to industrial fumes and chemicals. These have been proven to cause COPD in addition to smoking and genetic factors. Older adults. Smoking at an advanced age increases one’s risk of developing COPD since the body’s functioning reduces with age, such as muscle strength and the ability of cells to repair in case of lung infections or damage.
Interventions Benefiting the Outcome
Change of lifestyle, such as stopping smoking, is the most effective intervention for COPD. One can prevent COPD from deteriorating and losing their breathing capacity by quitting smoking. Antibiotic therapy is an additional strategy. Preventing and treating exacerbations effectively is one of the main goals of COPD care (Ambrosino & Bertella, 2018). An adequate antibiotic medication may benefit COPD patients with increasing dyspnea, purulence, and phlegm production.
Resources on Interprofessional Collaboration
To manage COPD patients effectively and significantly impact outcomes, a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals must work with the patients and those caring for them (Clark, 2018). One of the resources is social groups like the Global Initiative for COPD and the American Lung Association. They offer the information necessary for COPD. Additionally, organizations that work in the healthcare industry provide the tools needed for screening and treatment.
Conclusion
Awareness. A crucial aspect of health promotion is raising awareness of COPD. All medical practitioners must support awareness. Encouraging good health habits. By working together to employ health screenings and encouraging a healthy lifestyle, including advocating for a non-smoking lifestyle, interprofessional partnerships, for instance, promote health awareness and illness prevention. Patients are enrolled in therapeutic interventions, and follow-up projects are developed.
References
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Ambrosino, N., & Bertella, E. (2018). Lifestyle interventions in prevention and comprehensive management of COPD. Breathe (Sheffield, England), 14(3), 186–194. Web.
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Johnson, J. (2018). COPD and age: Onset, life expectancy, and more. Www.medicalnewstoday.com. Web.
Somayaji, R., & Chalmers, J. D. (2022). Just breathe a review of sex and gender in chronic lung disease. European Respiratory Review, 31(163). Web.
Szalontai, K., Gémes, N., Furák, J., Varga, T., Neuperger, P., Balog, J. Á., Puskás, L. G., & Szebeni, G. J. (2021). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Epidemiology, biomarkers, and paving the way to lung cancer. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 10(13), 1-20.
World Health Organization. (2022). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). World Health Organization: WHO. Web.