Atlas of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, An

Despite being the most common respiratory disorder in the developed world and the fourth leading cause of death in the US, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has received little attention compared to other lung diseases. Often it is not diagnosed until in its advanced stage. An Atlas of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease provides a visual reference for diagnosing and treating smoking-related and other lung diseases. The book contains approximately 120 detailed schematic diagrams that detail disease progression, diagnosis, and treatment; clinical photographic material that illustrates visual diagnostic cues; and figures and flow diagrams that present a concise review of the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of the disease. The authors cover the drugs recommended for treatment, their mode of action, potential side effects, and recommended uses. They discuss the management of both stable COPD and exacerbations of COPD, differential diagnoses and asthma, management in general practice and in hospitals, and future trends in therapy, such as new bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory treatments. The wealth of pictorial, diagrammatic, and photographic information combined with the clear, concise text and easy-to-use format make An Atlas of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease a primary resource for the management of COPD.