Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for any illness in which a person’s lungs have changed permanently so that the body’s ability to exhale properly decreases, and the condition usually worsens over time. Often, chronic bronchitis is part of COPD, and emphysema is almost always part of it as well.
Development and Diagnosis
Although asthma is not included in COPD, asthma sufferers may develop COPD over time. Lung function tests have revealed that up to 24 million people, as of 2008, may have the disease, it has largely gone underdiagnosed. Because of this, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death In the U.S. , claiming 120, 970 lives in 2006. By more than 5,000, more women than men died that year of this disease. Similarly, chronic bronchitis is almost twice as prevalent in women as it is in men. On the other hand, emphysema rates have traditionally been higher amongst men, although the gap seems to be closing. 94% of emphysema sufferers are over 45.
Within human lungs are the alveoli, another word for the air sacs in the lungs which are usually spongy and springy. Emphysema causes the walls between the alveoli to lose their ability to strength and recoil, and they become stiff, weakened and brittle as well. Once the transformation occurs, “holes” form in the tissues of the lower lungs, and air becomes trapped more easily. As a result, the movement of air and the exchange of both oxygen and carbon dioxide with the blood may be impaired.
While chronic bronchitis and emphysema both cause continuous cough and shortness of breath, only chronic bronchitis includes in its symptoms heavy mucus and with it, the recurrent need to clear one’s throat. Many healthcare providers may still recommend limited exercise to those with emphysema, while this would be less likely with COPD or chronic bronchitis.
Causes
The cause of COPD is primarily smoking. However, there are secondary causes as well: exposure to pollution, second-hand smoke, and occupational chemicals all can contribute to the contraction of the disease. Also, one can inherit a higher propensity for the illness, one can be more at risk if he had respiratory problems as a child, or one can be more likely to become ill if she is impoverished.
If one wishes to either prevent or slow the progress of COPD, the first and most important step is to quit smoking. Other treatments include medication, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, or surgery. However, lung damage from COPD is not reversible, and questions pertaining to quality of life become more difficult and crucial as the disease progresses.
When a person first contracts the chronic bronchitis condition, and the coughing up of mucus and sputum begins to exacerbate, this is the point where the risk for emphysema is greater because all of the coughing and stress on the lungs creates more and more of those aforementioned air-sac holes and tears. Pulmonary function studies will determine how much damage has been caused to the lungs so that the health care provider can improvise a treatment plan.
Although chronic bronchitis, COPD, and emphysema are all different in definition, they are each airway diseases which do share common features. As such, specific therapies, especially anti-inflammatory medications and bronchodilators, may be the most significant and beneficial treatment .
Symptoms
There is a range of symptoms that accompany COPD, with the most common being a chronic cough with sputum production. Yet, the rest of the symptoms appear in this descending order: shortness of breath on exertion (75%), wheezing (75%), chest pain which worsens when you breathe (50%). Once a physical exam is administered, the following symptoms are likely to be encountered: crackles (70%), snoring (44%), and wheezing (34%).
A 50-year-old female smoker, Sandy, had to retire due to her emphysema. Her first symptom was an increasingly noticeable shortness of breath when she climbed stairs or walked for any distance. At first her primary care treated her with meds and inhalers, but he did not realize how serious her condition was until nine months later when she had a pulmonary function test. At 30% lung function, Sandy is on three inhalers and two medications. She receives help from her family for all of the household chores, and she also takes anti-depressants.
However, if you are diagnosed with COPD, and NOT emphysema, there are many ways you can improve the quality of your life and increase your chances for a longer life. We have already said that the number one priority is to quit smoking as soon as possible. Next, defend against any possibility of respiratory infections. A simple way to do this is to become an avid hand-washer. Also consider getting an annual flu vaccination.
Prevention
Another solid strategy to combat your COPD is improving your nutrition. Cutting back on red meats, sugar, and processed foods will be the key to your new lifestyle, which will very likely reduce chronic inflammation. In addition, be prepared for a flare up. Have an action plan in case your symptoms worsen or act up. Tending to your emotional needs will contribute to your better health as well, whether that means meditating, joining a support group, or being open with family and friends.
Finally, staying active and physically fit is an intervention that those with mild to moderate COPD can employ. Although there is no known cure for COPD yet, one can live nearly normally if precautions are taken.