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What You Need To Know About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
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While there are about 15 million known COPD patients in the US, it is estimated that there could be an additional 15 million people with COPD, but have not been diagnosed. COPD usually can’t be outright cured, but there are many treatments available to slow the progression and lessen the severity of the symptoms.
While there are about 15 million known COPD patients in the US, it is estimated that there could be an additional 15 million people with COPD, but have not been diagnosed. COPD usually can’t be outright cured, but there are many treatments available to slow the progression and lessen the severity of the symptoms.
What Is COPD?
COPD is a condition that usually includes having one or more of the following diseases:
– Emphysema: Damaged air sacs in your lungs prevent them from properly absorbing oxygen and thus impairing needed oxygen flow into your blood. Also, this damage can cause stretching of the lungs, which makes it hard to exhale properly.
– Chronic bronchitis: The cilia fibers in your bronchial tubes become damaged and destroyed. This results in shortness of breath and chronic coughing due to a constant build up of mucus in the lungs.
– Refractory asthma: Sometimes called nonreversible asthma, as this condition doesn’t improve with normal asthma medications.
Causes and Risk Factors
The most common cause is exposure to pollution and toxins in the air. Smoking and the exposure to second-hand smoke is the biggest culprit. However, working or living where there are high levels of air pollution or smoke and fumes and other types of lung irritants also play a part.
Risk factors:
– A history of asthma and respiratory allergies.
– A history of lung infections or pneumonia.
– Over 40 years of age and being overweight.
Symptoms
Early stage symptoms: Recurring and bothersome coughing, mild to moderate shortness of breath, tightness in your chest.
Mid stage symptoms: Presence and coughing up of lots of mucus, more chronic coughing, frequent colds and flu, worsening shortness of breath.
Later stage symptoms: Frequent struggling for breath, constant coughing, lack of energy, loss of weight, swollen legs or ankles, blueish tint fingernails.
Treatments
Self help treatments include most importantly to stop smoking and staying away from smoke, air pollution, allergens and other lung irritants. Also helpful is not being overweight, regular physical activity and a non-inflammatory diet.
Medical treatments:
– Inhalers that open your airways and/or reduce inflammation in your lungs
– Oral steroids to reduce bronchial inflammation.
– Certain antibiotics to ward off bacterial infections, especially pneumonia.
– Flu and pneumonia vaccines.
– Use of supplemental oxygen.
– Surgical procedures in severe cases.
COPD Can Be a Catalyst For Other Health Problems
COPD leaves one vulnerable to other respiratory diseases such as lung cancer. It can also increase the possibility of complications from viruses, colds, flu, pneumonia, and other respiratory ailments. You could also be vulnerable to developing diabetes, pulmonary hypertension, and heart disease.
