Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD is a long-term progressive disease if it is not cured at right time. It is characterized by narrowing of airflows making the difficult for the individual to breathe.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term, progressive lung disease that affects the airways and makes it difficult for individuals to breathe. The disease is characterized by a persistent obstruction of airflow, typically caused by a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of illness, yet many people have it and don’t know it.

According to GOLD standards of COPD, Just find out whether you have COPD or not.

“Could it be COPD?” – Questionnaire

1. Do you cough several times most days?
2. Do you bring up phlegm or mucus most days?
3. Do you get out of breath more easily than others your age?
4. Are you older than 40 years?
5. Are you a current smoker or an ex-smoker?

If you answered yes to three or more of these questions, ask your doctor if you might have COPD.

Finding COPD early gives the best chance to prevent further lung damage. However, treatments are available to help people at all stages of disease feel better and live a more active life.

What happens to your lungs when you have COPD?

1. The openings of the airways are smaller.
2. Less air gets in because. The walls of the airways get thick and swollen.
3. The airways are squeezed by small muscles around them.
4. The airways make mucus that you cough up.
5. The tiny air sacs cannot empty and your lungs feel very full.

Risk factors:

• Cigarrete smoking is the most common risk factor and aggravates the condition. 90% of the casual factor is the tobacco smoking.
• Occupational hazards such as working in the factories.
• Repeated respiratory infections, especially during childhood can lead to COPD in later stages of life.
• Asthma: If the asthma is left untreated, may lead to COPD in later stages of life.
• Genetic factors: Some individuals have genetic predispositions may lead to COPD in certain environmental factors.
• Air pollution: According to WHO, 25% of the COPD cases are caused due to air pollution.
• Passive smoking: One can have COPD if you are constantly getting exposed to the Tabacco smoke due to other’s smoking.

Symptoms

The symptoms of COPD develops slowly and it is completely aggravated by the risk factors above mentioned. The symptoms are as follows:

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity
• Persistent cough with sputum production
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Frequent respiratory infections.

When you should visit a pulmonologist?

• When the cough lasts for more than a month.
• When you have mild breathing problems, even for years

You should consult your pulmonologist as soon as possible and get yourself checked.

Diagnosis

COPD is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, lung function tests and imaging studies like chest X-rays or CT scans.

Treatment

• Lifestyle changes: Quitting smoking, avoiding lung irritants, and staying physically active.
• Curtained prescribed medications as advised by the pulmonologist which eases the symptoms of the Conditions.
• Oxygen therapy: Supplemental oxygen for those with low blood oxygen levels.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation: A comprehensive program that includes exercise, education, and support to improve lung function and daily activities.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgical procedures like lung volume reduction surgery or lung transplantation may be considered.

Early diagnosis and proper management are essential in COPD to slow down the progression of the disease and alleviate symptoms. If you have any near ones suffering from the same, please make sure to visit a pulmonologist near you and get the treatment done at early stages. By doing this you can deliver a quality life to an individual.

Sources
Global initiative for chronic lung disease, World health organization.

Credits
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