Abstract

GUZMAN GUZMAN, Ramiro Eduardo. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the elderly: control of symptoms in the GP's clinic. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2008, vol.2, n.5, pp.244-249. ISSN 2386-8201.

The present review was carried out in order to make available basic and elementary aspects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the geriatric patient. Being one of the pulmonary pathological processes caused by limitation of air flow associated with an abnormal inflammatory response to harmful particles or gases, it is similar to other age-related clinical conditions. The importance for the family doctor is to maintain the disease stable and to provide a better quality of life, taking into account during this process the appearance of symptoms that show advanced stages of the disease, the impact of the disease on the patient's daily life and the degree of family and social support the patient receives. Therefore, the management of stable COPD is aimed at preventing the disease, relieving symptoms and preventing and treating complications and relapses. It must always be born in mind that advanced age is associated with complications and mortality, which means that we should always be aware of the possible need to hospitalize the patient under control.

Keywords : Pulmonary Disease; Chronic Obstructive.

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