Complications
In 2000, chronic obstructive lung disease was responsible for 1.5 million visits to the emergency room, 726,000 hospitalizations, and 119,000 deaths. It is the fourth leading cause of death, and its death rate is increasing. Some evidence also suggests that mortality rates from COLD may be even higher than current estimates, because such patients are at greater risk for life-threatening conditions, notably heart attack and pulmonary embolism.
Chronic obstructive lung disease is progressive; although when patients stop smoking the disease often levels off.
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Outlook for Patients with Emphysema. If emphysema is detected before it causes symptoms, there may be some chance of reversing it, although permanent changes in the alveoli usually occur, even in young smokers. Patients with the inherited form of early-onset emphysema are at risk for early death unless the disease is treated and its progression halted or slowed. Emphysema patients who experience severe involuntary weight loss (which indicates muscle wasting) have a poorer outlook, regardless of lung function.
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Outlook for Patients with Chronic Bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis does not cause as much lung damage as emphysema, although the airways become blocked from mucous plugs and narrowing due to inflammation. This poor ventilation causes reduced levels of oxygen and high carbon dioxide levels.
Acute Exacerbations
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Acute exacerbations are episodes that occur with both types of COLD, in which airways suddenly become obstructed and symptoms worsen. Such events are associated with inflammation in the airways and are triggered by infections about 80% of the time. They are not due to other complications of COLD, including pneumonia, heart failure, blood clots, or a collapsed lung.
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