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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Emphysema can increase the severity of other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart failure. If you have emphysema, air pollution or a respiratory infection can lead to an acute COPD exacerbation, with extreme shortness of breath and dangerously low oxygen levels. You may need admission to an intensive care unit and temporary support from an artificial breathing machine (ventilator) until the infection clears.

References
  1. Emphysema. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2060053&content_id={39330D56-C0E9-4D08-B98F-18EA7B3C410B}¬oc=1. Accessed March 4, 2009.
  2. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) fact sheet. American Lung Association. http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2058829&content_id={EE451F66-996B-4C23-874D-BF66586196FF}¬oc=1. Accessed March 4, 2009.
  3. What is COPD? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html. Accessed March 4, 2009.
  4. Celli BR. Update on the management of COPD. CHEST. 2008;133:1451.
  5. Bruce ML, et al. COPD: Your role in early detection. The Nurse Practitioner Journal. 2007;32:25.
  6. Corbridge SJ, et al. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. AAOHN Journal. 2007;55:181.
  7. Rennard SI. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Definition, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and staging. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 4, 2009.
  8. Weiss ST. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Risk factors and risk reduction. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 4, 2009.
  9. Ferguson GT et al, Management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. http://www.uptodate.com. Accessed March 4, 2009.
  10. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Medical Communications Resources, Inc. Accessed March 20, 2009.

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April 29, 2009

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