Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Fast Facts Author:William Macnee, Stephen I., M.D. Rennard Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a heterogeneous collection of respiratory syndromes with overlapping manifestations. As well as the characteristic shortness of breath, the disease is associated with a number of comorbidities that can present major clinical problems for the individual. This fully updated second edition of "Fast Fa... more »cts: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease" offers a concise and expert review of: the disease process, its causes and progression; diagnostic techniques, including lung function tests and imaging; differential diagnoses; the main clinical features, systemic effects and comorbidities; current treatments to reduce symptoms and improve lung function in stable disease; the prevention and management of acute exacerbations; the latest clinical trial results, supporting aggressive therapy to reduce lung function decline; risk factor reduction, primarily through smoking cessation; and, future diagnostic and therapeutic developments. "Fast Facts: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease" is an invaluable resource for all healthcare professionals, full of practical information on the early recognition, stabilization and successful management of this multifaceted disease.« less