What is COPD?(1)

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and defined as the chronic inflammatory disease of lung that causes obstruction in airflow from the lungs. COPD have some common symptoms that include difficulty in breathing, cough, production of mucus and wheezing. Cause of COPD is due to long term exposure to irritating gas or any particulate matter like dust and also from the smoke of cigarette. If the patient is suffering from COPD he is at high risk of developing lung cancer, heart problems and more other type of conditions.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are known as the most common conditions that lead to COPD. They mostly occur together and have variety of symptoms in individuals suffering from COPD.

When alveoli that are present at the end of air passages called bronchioles of lungs are destroyed due to smoking or any other irritating gas or particulate matter is called Emphysema.

Inflammation of lining in the bronchial tubes is called chronic bronchitis. Bronchial tubes carry air from the air sacs of the lungs. Daily cough and mucus production is characterized by this disease.

COPD get worse with the passage of time but it is treatable by managing it properly, controlling the symptoms a patient can live a quality of life.

Causes of COPD:

In developed countries the main cause of COPD is tobacco smoking. COPD also occurs due to the exposure of fumes that are made from burning fuel while cooking and also from the heat in the homes that are not properly ventilated.

Chronic smokers may develop COPD that is clinically apparent while some smokers that have long history of smoking are likely to develop problems in lung function.

Risk of COPD is higher if anyone is suffering from asthma.

Genetic disposition is likely to develop COPD. This disease is not contagious.

Sign and symptoms of COPD:

Symptoms of COPD can be mild at first then it begins with the intermittent cough and shortness of breath. As the disease progresses and the symptoms become more prominent where a patient will have difficulty in breathing.

Wheezing and tightness in the chest is experienced with production of sputum. At first people may confuse it with the symptoms of Cold. Early sign and symptoms of COPD include:

  • Shortness of breath occasionally, mostly after exercising.
  • Recurrent cough but mild
  • You need to clear your throat often mostly in the morning.

When the symptoms progress it becomes much worse and it is difficult to ignore because the damage of lungs begins with the following symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath after little exercise of after walking on the stairs.
  • High pitched noise of breathing during exhalations commonly called wheezing is experienced.
  • Tightness in chest
  • Cough with or without mucus
  • One may need to clear the mucus every day from the lungs.
  • Cold, flu and infections in some other respiratory system.
  • Lack of energy.

Symptoms that appear in the later stages are

  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Swelling of feet or legs.

Medical care is immediately required if:

  • Grey or bluish nails or lips are identified because it indicated the low level of oxygen in the blood.
  • If one has difficulty in breathing and cannot speak.
  • If one feels confused or faints
  • If the heart is racing.

Symptoms will get worse if the patient continues to smoke or if he is regularly exposed to the smoke.

Diagnosis of COPD(2)

No single test is done for COPD. Diagnosis is done on the basis of symptoms, test results and physical exam. So clearly mention all the symptoms and tell your doctor if

  • You smoke or have smoked in the past years or months
  • You have exposed to irritants of lung on your job
  • You are highly exposed to the secondhand smoke
  • You have history of COPD in the family
  • You are suffering from asthma or other condition of respiration
  • You are taking over the counter or prescribed medicines.

In physical exam doctor will listen to the lungs when you breathe with the help of stethoscope. After knowing your symptoms and physical exam doctor will recommend you some of these symptoms to get the clear picture.

  • Spirometry: this noninvasive test is done to check the function of lungs. During the diagnosis you take a deep breath and then blow in the tube that is connected to the spirometer.
  • Imaging test: X-ray and CT- scan in included that give the detailed picture of lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
  • Arterial blood gas test: a blood sample is drawn from the artery to check oxygen level in the blood as well as carbon dioxide and other important levels in the blood.

Treatment of COPD (2)

Treatment of COPD is done by the health care team members that includes lung specialist called pulmonologist and respiratory therapists. Treatment will help in easing the symptoms, preventing the complications and increases the quality of life by slow down the progression of disease.

  1. Medication:

Some medications suggested for treating COPD includes:

  • Inhaled bronchodilators: they are taken with the help of nebulizer. Selective beta 2 agonist and anticholinergics are recommended.
  • Corticosteroids: inhaled glucocorticosteroid is given with the combination of long acting bronchodilators.
  • Phosphodiesterasr-4 inhibitors: it reduces inflammation and given in severe COPD.
  • Theophylline: it eases the tightness in chest and breath shortness. It is the first line treatment for COPD
  • Antibiotics and antivirals: they are prescribed for respiratory infection.
  • Vaccines: yearly flu shot, whooping cough vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine is recommended.

  1. Oxygen therapy

If the level of oxygen is low in the blood then supplemental oxygen is taken through mask or nasal cannula to make you breathe easily.

  1. Surgery:

In severe cases of COPD surgery is performed or in case if no other treatment is working on the condition and also in case of severe emphysema.

Bullectomy is one type in which large and abnormal air spaces are removed from the lungs.

Other type is reduction surgery of lung volume in which the damaged tissue of upper lung is removed.

Lung transplantation is done in some cases only.

  1. Lifestyle changes:

Changes in lifestyle is done by

  • Quit smoking
  • Avoid fumes of chemical
  • Take a healthy diet
  • Do exercise with doctor’s consultation.

References:

  1. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/symptoms-causes/syc-20353679
  2. https://www.healthline.com/health/copd