Final answer:
COPD is a progressive lung disease caused by tobacco smoking, involving conditions like chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Treatment is based on severity and includes lifestyle changes, medications, and possibly oxygen therapy or lung transplantation. Pulmonary hypertension in COPD patients is treated with specialized therapies alongside managing the underlying COPD.
Step-by-step explanation:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition that is primarily caused by tobacco smoking. It encompasses two main diseases: chronic bronchitis and emphysema, both of which contribute to chronic poor airflow and symptoms such as shortness of breath and a productive cough. The ladder of treatment for COPD, depending on its severity, includes lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, use of inhaled bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and supplemental oxygen. In very severe cases, a lung transplant may be considered as a treatment option.
In patients who develop pulmonary hypertension as a complication of COPD, treatment focuses on managing the COPD itself, alongside specific therapies for pulmonary hypertension. These may include oxygen therapy, vasodilators, diuretics, and other medications that target the pulmonary arteries. However, the treatment must be individualized to the patient's condition and the severity of both COPD and pulmonary hypertension.