Health encyclopaedia

Health encyclopaedia - Alphabetical Topic List

Diagnosis of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

People who live with COPD are often short of breath, have a persistent cough and a build up of phlegm.

The following tests can be carried out to eliminate other conditions, such as asthma:

• Spirometry (breathing test).This is the usual test to diagnose COPD. The doctor will ask you to breathe in and out of a tube that is connected to a machine, to see if your airways are narrowed. You may have your ‘peak expiratory flow’ measured or have to expel air from your lungs after using an inhaler. If there is no improvement after using the inhaler, it is more likely that you have COPD than asthma.
• Chest Radiography.This is an x-ray that will show any hyperinflation  (excessive growth) of the lungs.
• CT scan.This is more sensitive than a chest radiograph and is particularly useful in diagnosing another lung disease called emphysema.

• Caesarean sectionCancerCancer of the bile ductCancer of the bladderCancer of the boneCancer of the brainCancer of the breastCancer of the breast, maleCancer of the cervixCancer of the colon, rectum or bowelCancer of the kidneyCancer of the larynxCancer of the liverCancer of the lungCancer of the mouthCancer of the oesophagusCancer of the ovaryCancer of the pancreasCancer of the prostateCancer of the skinCancer of the stomachCancer of the testicleCancer of the thyroidCancer of the uterusCancer of the vaginaCancer of the vulvaCarbon monoxide poisoningCarersCarpal tunnel syndromeCartilage damageCataract surgeryCataractsCatarrhCavernous sinus thrombosisCEA testCellulitisCerebral palsyCerebrovascular diseaseCervical screening testCervical spondylosisCharcot-Marie-Tooth diseaseChemotherapyChest infectionChickenpoxChildren in careChiropracticChlamydiaChloride testCholesterolChorionic Villus samplingChronic fatigue syndromeChronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseCircumcisionCirrhosisCleft lip and palateClinical trialsClub footCoeliac diseaseCognitive behavioural therapyCold soreCold, commonColicColostomyColour vision deficiencyColposcopyCombined contraceptive pillComplaints about NHS servicesComplementary therapiesComplex Regional Pain SyndromeCondoms (male and female)Congenital heart diseaseCongestive heart failureConjunctivitisConsent to treatmentConstipationContraceptionContraceptive implants and injectionsContraceptive patchCoronary angioplastyCoronary artery bypassCoronary heart diseaseCorticosteroid (drugs)Corticosteroid preparations (topical)Cosmetic surgeryCoughCounsellingCradle capCraniosynostosisCreutzfeldt-Jakob diseaseCrohn's diseaseCroupCT scanCushing's syndromeCuts and grazesCystic fibrosisCystitisCystoscopyCytomegalovirus

  ---