Chronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease. Emphysema and
chronic bronchitis are two examples of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Breathlessness is a feature of this illness. Additionally, some COPD patients
report fatigue and a persistent, mucus- or non-mucus-producing cough.
Let us
break down COPD to understand it better:
D(Disease)- The lungs have been infected.
Symptoms
of COPD
Shortness of
breath and coughing are common symptoms of aging, but they could also indicate
COPD. COPD can also get into next stage even if you don't notice shortness of
breath. Because of this, it's crucial to consult your doctor as soon as you
start experiencing these symptoms. Inquire your doctor about scheduling a Spirometry
test.
Each person will
experience their own unique set of COPD symptoms, but some common ones may
include:
·
Wheezing
·
Shortness
of breath
·
Coughing
·
Fatigue
·
Tightness
in the chest region
What are
the causes of COPD?
1. Smoking- The primary risk factor for COPD
is smoking. Most persons with COPD smoke or have smoked in the past. Smokers
are more prone to get COPD if they have a family history of the condition.
2. Lung Irritants- Long-term exposure to
air pollution, chemical fumes and dust from one's surroundings or place of
employment, smoke from unventilated home cooking and heating fuels, and
secondhand smoke—the smoke inhaled by others who are smoking—could also be a
cause of COPD.
3. Asthma- It is a lung disease that
causes swelling and narrowing of the airways, affecting around 1 in 5 persons
with COPD.
Prevention
and Treatment for COPD:
There is no
direct treatment for COPD yet, but one can definitely take specific steps in
order to curb the disease.
Quit
Smoking: The most crucial step for smokers is to quit
smoking entirely. Stay away from smoke and other air contaminants at home and
at work.
The following
therapies may also be taken into account by your doctor:
Medicine: Medicines can be used to address
symptoms like coughing and wheezing.
Pulmonary
Rehabilitation: A
customized care plan that instructs you on how to control your COPD symptoms to
enhance quality of life. Plans can involve discovering healthier breathing
techniques, energy-saving techniques, and the best suitable diet and exercise
plan for you.
Treating
Lung Infections: People
with COPD may experience major issues as a result of lung infections. Some
vaccinations, such as the influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, are particularly
crucial for those with COPD.
Supplemental
Oxygen: In case the
blood oxygen levels are low, you may need portable oxygen supply.
Short
Acting Bronchodilators: The
muscles around your airways are quickly relaxed by these drugs, easing symptoms
like coughing and shortness of breath. You breathe them in using an inhaler.
About 4 to 6 hours pass between the effects. One should only use them before an
activity session or when you have symptoms.
Steroids:
Your airways'
swelling is reduced by steroids. Typically, you inhale them using an inhaler.
If you experience frequent COPD flare-ups, inhaled steroids may be helpful.
Taking steroids as a tablet is an option if your symptoms worsen.
If you are
experiencing breathing issues consistently, you need to consult a pulmonologist. Park Hospital has the best
pulmonologists and most advanced technologies to treat breathing disorders or respiratory
diseases.