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Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica - Overview

Nombres alternativos

EPOC; Enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica; Enfermedad obstructiva crónica de las vías respiratorias; Enfisema; Bronquitis crónica; Bronquitis de tipo crónico

Definición:

Es una de las enfermedades más comunes de los pulmones que causa dificultad para respirar. Hay dos formas principales de EPOC:

  • Bronquitis crónica, que implica una tos prolongada con moco.
  • Enfisema, que implica la destrucción de los pulmones con el tiempo.

La mayoría de las personas con EPOC tienen una combinación de ambas afecciones.

Causas:

La causa principal de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) es el tabaquismo. Cuanto más fume una persona, mayor probabilidad tendrá de desarrollar EPOC, aunque algunas personas fuman por años y nunca padecen esta enfermedad.

En raras ocasiones, los no fumadores que carecen de una proteína llamada alfa-1 antitripsina pueden presentar enfisema.

Otros factores de riesgo que predisponen a EPOC son:

  • Exposición a ciertos gases o emanaciones en el sitio de trabajo.
  • Exposición a cantidades considerables de contaminación o humo indirecto de cigarrillo.
  • Uso frecuente de gas para cocinar sin la ventilación apropiada.
  • Reviewed last on: 5/1/2011
  • Denis Hadjiliadis MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

Referencias

Hoogendoorn M, Feenstra TL, Hoogenveen RT, Rutten-van Mölken MP. Long-term effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions in patients with COPD. Thorax. 2010;65(8):711-718.

Agarwal R, Aggarwal AN, Gupta D, Jindal SK. Inhaled corticosteroids vs placebo for preventing COPD exacerbations: a systematic review and metaregression of randomized controlled trials. Chest. 2010; 137(2):318-325.

Shapiro SD, Reilly JJ Jr., Rennard SI. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In: Mason RJ, Broaddus VC, Martin TR, et al. Murray & Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 39.

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