Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Health Hub 101, Taboo Topic
- 29 Dec, 2022
What is COPD?
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two examples of the chronic lung disorders that fall under the umbrella of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Breathlessness is a sign of COPD. Aside from fatigue, some COPD patients also endure chronic coughs that produce or don't produce mucus.
There is no cure for this illness. It may take years for COPD symptoms to appear. The severity of a person's symptoms can fluctuate from time to time and from person to person. While COPD cannot be cured, it is treatable, and this should not be forgotten.
Your lungs are not getting enough air to breathe (obstructed). Swelling and excess mucus in the passages inside your lungs may be the culprit. The term "bronchial tubes" refers to these airways. They have bigger tubes that connect to smaller ones, giving them the appearance of tree roots. However, with the correct care, your symptoms can be controlled and the disease's course can be halted.
Causes for COPD
There are numerous causes of COPD, including:
1. Smoking: In the majority of high-income nations and throughout the world, smoking is the leading cause of COPD. It's crucial to stop smoking if you still do. By giving up smoking, you can reduce the development of COPD and improve the efficacy of your treatment.
2. Inhaled Irritants: COPD can also be brought on by inhaling irritants to the lungs. These include dust, smoke, and chemical fumes. Both homes and workplaces include these irritants.
3. Genetics: COPD may in certain situations be inherited. It therefore runs in families. This kind of COPD is brought on by a disorder known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, or Alpha-1. Alpha-1 is brought on by a deficiency in the blood protein known as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT).
This AAT protein's primary function is to safeguard the lungs from inflammation brought on by infections and airborne pollutants. Inquire with your healthcare practitioner about easy Alpha-1 screening and testing.
Symptoms of COPD
Each person may experience various COPD symptoms. Additionally, different days may have worse symptoms than others. Shortness of breath, frequent coughs with or without mucus, wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe in or out), and tightness in the chest are all common signs of COPD.
Some of these symptoms may be indicative of other illnesses, including heart issues, obesity, allergies, asthma, and other ailments. Any of these symptoms should be reported to your healthcare provider right once.
Numerous people who have COPD also have other chronic illnesses. They are referred to as comorbidities. Even if you believe that additional symptoms you are experiencing have nothing to do with COPD, discuss them with your healthcare physician.
Get Tested
You can tell if you have COPD by taking a quick breathing test called a spirometry, which is a component of a lung function test or pulmonary function test. Your lungs' capacity to contain air is determined through spirometry. The lung volume is that.
The rate at which you can expel air from your lungs is also measured by spirometry. Expiratory flow is the term for this. Before you experience symptoms, spirometry can identify COPD. If any of the following apply to you: • You experience symptoms of shortness of breath or breathing trouble;
You have previously been given a COPD diagnosis if you smoke or have ever smoked; you live in a big city; you work in the mining, construction, or cleaning industries; or you have been exposed to poor air quality.
Spirometry testing is a crucial component of managing COPD and should be done every one to two years. It demonstrates the efficiency of your lungs. To diagnose COPD, X-rays or an office visit are insufficient.
If you experience COPD symptoms, talk to your doctor about spirometry and Alpha-1 testing.
Even if you feel good, see your doctor at least twice a year. If you have any worries regarding your COPD, meds, or other difficulties, bring a written list with you.
Even though COPD cannot be cured, it is treatable. With COPD, you can still lead a healthy, fulfilling life. You can lessen your COPD symptoms and lead an active lifestyle by taking your medications as prescribed, using them properly, eating well, and exercising.
Reference:
https://www.copdfoundation.org/Take-Action/Get-Involved/COPD-Awareness-Month.aspx
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two examples of the chronic lung disorders that fall under the umbrella of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Breathlessness is a sign of COPD. Aside from fatigue, some COPD patients also endure chronic coughs that produce or don't produce mucus.
There is no cure for this illness. It may take years for COPD symptoms to appear. The severity of a person's symptoms can fluctuate from time to time and from person to person. While COPD cannot be cured, it is treatable, and this should not be forgotten.
Your lungs are not getting enough air to breathe (obstructed). Swelling and excess mucus in the passages inside your lungs may be the culprit. The term "bronchial tubes" refers to these airways. They have bigger tubes that connect to smaller ones, giving them the appearance of tree roots. However, with the correct care, your symptoms can be controlled and the disease's course can be halted.
Causes for COPD
There are numerous causes of COPD, including:
1. Smoking: In the majority of high-income nations and throughout the world, smoking is the leading cause of COPD. It's crucial to stop smoking if you still do. By giving up smoking, you can reduce the development of COPD and improve the efficacy of your treatment.
2. Inhaled Irritants: COPD can also be brought on by inhaling irritants to the lungs. These include dust, smoke, and chemical fumes. Both homes and workplaces include these irritants.
3. Genetics: COPD may in certain situations be inherited. It therefore runs in families. This kind of COPD is brought on by a disorder known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, or Alpha-1. Alpha-1 is brought on by a deficiency in the blood protein known as alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT).
This AAT protein's primary function is to safeguard the lungs from inflammation brought on by infections and airborne pollutants. Inquire with your healthcare practitioner about easy Alpha-1 screening and testing.
Symptoms of COPD
Each person may experience various COPD symptoms. Additionally, different days may have worse symptoms than others. Shortness of breath, frequent coughs with or without mucus, wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe in or out), and tightness in the chest are all common signs of COPD.
Some of these symptoms may be indicative of other illnesses, including heart issues, obesity, allergies, asthma, and other ailments. Any of these symptoms should be reported to your healthcare provider right once.
Numerous people who have COPD also have other chronic illnesses. They are referred to as comorbidities. Even if you believe that additional symptoms you are experiencing have nothing to do with COPD, discuss them with your healthcare physician.
Get Tested
You can tell if you have COPD by taking a quick breathing test called a spirometry, which is a component of a lung function test or pulmonary function test. Your lungs' capacity to contain air is determined through spirometry. The lung volume is that.
The rate at which you can expel air from your lungs is also measured by spirometry. Expiratory flow is the term for this. Before you experience symptoms, spirometry can identify COPD. If any of the following apply to you: • You experience symptoms of shortness of breath or breathing trouble;
You have previously been given a COPD diagnosis if you smoke or have ever smoked; you live in a big city; you work in the mining, construction, or cleaning industries; or you have been exposed to poor air quality.
Spirometry testing is a crucial component of managing COPD and should be done every one to two years. It demonstrates the efficiency of your lungs. To diagnose COPD, X-rays or an office visit are insufficient.
If you experience COPD symptoms, talk to your doctor about spirometry and Alpha-1 testing.
Even if you feel good, see your doctor at least twice a year. If you have any worries regarding your COPD, meds, or other difficulties, bring a written list with you.
Even though COPD cannot be cured, it is treatable. With COPD, you can still lead a healthy, fulfilling life. You can lessen your COPD symptoms and lead an active lifestyle by taking your medications as prescribed, using them properly, eating well, and exercising.
Reference:
https://www.copdfoundation.org/Take-Action/Get-Involved/COPD-Awareness-Month.aspx
