This document discusses the case of a 38-year-old man presenting with severe breathlessness and a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and smoking. It provides details on his symptoms, medical history and examination findings. It then summarizes guidelines for diagnosing and managing both acute exacerbations and stable COPD, including pharmacological treatments like bronchodilators, steroids, vaccines and antibiotics as well as non-pharmacological rehabilitation and oxygen therapy.

1. ASTHMA/ COPD

8. COPD stage Severity Classification by postbronchodilator spirometric values Classification by symptoms and disability I Mild FEV1/FVC < 0.70 FEV1 > 80% predicted Chronic cough + sputum production II Moderate FEV1/FVC < 0.70 50% ≤ FEV1 < 80% predicted Shortness of breath on exertion III Severe FEV1/FVC < 0.70 30% ≤ FEV1 < 50% predicted Greater SOB, reduce exercise capacity, repeated exacerbation which have impaired on patient’s quality of life IV Very severe FEV1/FVC < 0.70 FEV1 < 30% predicted or FEV1 < 50% predicted plus chronic respiratory failure Chronic respi failure Quality of life very appreciably impaired and exacerbation maybe life threatening.