Abstract

Although there is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), encouraging smoking cessation and a combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological management may prevent deterioration of the condition, improve lung function and thus symptoms, and improve health status and functional ability of patients. These are attainable goals that will ultimately improve the quality of life for patients and may also decrease the healthcare costs associated with this disease. This fully updated third edition of Fast Facts: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease offers a concise and expert review of: • current guidelines • the disease process, its causes and progression • diagnostic techniques, including lung function tests and imaging • differential diagnoses • the main clinical features, systemic effects and comorbidities • current treatments to reduce symptoms and improve lung function in stable disease • the prevention and management of acute exacerbations • the latest clinical trial results, supporting aggressive therapy to reduce lung function decline • risk factor reduction, primarily through smoking cessation • future diagnostic and therapeutic developments. Intended as a practical and accessible resource for all general practitioners, practice nurses, specialist nurses, junior hospital doctors, paramedics, medical students and other allied healthcare professionals, this handbook will provide a ‘breath of fresh air’ to the field of COPD.
“This is an excellent hands-on and user-friendly guide for any healthcare professional caring for patients with COPD. I highly recommend the key points - they provide a coherent summary of the disease and cover the diagnostic pathway and successful management of these patients”.
Dr Tahreema Matin, Clinical Research Fellow in Radiology
"A well-structured and comprehensive book that will benefit respiratory nurses and all health care professionals with a respiratory interest."
“This is an excellent treatise that is comprehensive yet succinct … . It covers all the major aspects of COPD, especially new insights into assessment and treatment. I would highly recommend this book.”
Professor E Irusen, Immediate Past President
“The authors succeed more in 150 pages than most other and larger text books do on this topic.”
Professor Jørgen Vestbo, Professor of Respiratory Medicine
“This book delivers a breath of fresh air to all healthcare professionals”.
Dr Kian-Chung Ong, President
“An easy-to-read handbook for busy clinicians, which presents the latest evidence to shape our understanding of COPD today, highlighting the take-home messages. All the tools for treatment and management of the acute exacerbation can be found in this handbook. It provides the necessary information to clinicians, fast.”