What is COPD and how to treat it

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Another reason to quit smoking.

When to call an ambulance immediately

Dial 103 or 112 if COPD. Symptoms and Causes:

• With shortness of breath, your lips and nails are gray or bluish. This indicates a low level of oxygen in the blood.
• The shortness of breath is so severe that it is difficult for you to speak or even just catch your breath.
• You are dizzy, your eyes darken, it seems as if you are about to pass out.
• It is difficult for you to breathe, and at the same time your heart literally jumps out of your chest.

These are signs of a severe stage of COPD that can be life-threatening.

What is COPD

COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) - NHS (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a group of diseases associated with respiratory distress. The most common of these are pulmonary emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Moreover, in most cases, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have both of these pathologies at once.

According to British statistics Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) statistics, COPD suffers from one in fifty people. If we talk about the age over 40, then the disease is found in every twentieth.

Breathing problems hit the whole body seriously. For example, in the United States, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death, second only to heart disease and cancer.

But about half of people with COPD have no idea they are sick. And for good reason.

What are the symptoms of COPD

It is almost impossible to track the disease at an early stage. The fact is that the first symptoms of COPD COPD are nonspecific: they can be confused with a mild cold, fatigue, or even the effect of an uncomfortable posture.

• Periodic shortness of breath. The feeling of lack of air, the desire to breathe a little more often appears after training, but can be observed at rest. For example, when you lie down.
• Light cough that recurs day after day.
• Need to clear throat regularly, especially in the morning.

The first symptoms cause people to unconsciously make changes in their lifestyle: avoid stairs, refrain from exercise and other physical activity. But COPD progresses over time COPD. Symptoms and Causes, and signs of respiratory problems are becoming more visible.

• Shortness of breath is easier and more frequent.
• Whistling wheezing appears when breathing. This is especially noticeable on exhalation.
• There is a feeling of tightness in the chest.
• A distinct chronic cough with or without mucus appears.
• You have to clear your throat of mucus every day.
• Colds and respiratory infections are becoming more frequent.
• There is a constant feeling of weakness, lack of energy.

Later, the symptoms are joined by swelling in the legs, weight loss and more dangerous manifestations (we talked about them above).

Where does COPD come from?

In developed countries, the main cause of COPD is smoking COPD. Symptoms and Causes.

About 90% of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have or have had a history of What Causes COPD cigarette addiction.

In fact, one in three smokers will sooner or later develop COPD. The risk is increased if cigarette cravings are associated with asthma.

Other causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include:

• second hand smoke;
• work associated with the inhalation of various chemicals and vapors;
• forced need to breathe polluted or dusty air;
• regular inhalation of smoke from combustible fuels (wood, coal) used for heating or cooking.

Also, in some cases, COPD develops due to genetic disorders.

What to do if you suspect COPD

To begin with, check the diagnosis with a therapist or pulmonologist. Unfortunately, there is no definitive test for COPD, so the doctor will focus on your symptoms, examination results, and some research. For example, x-rays or computed tomography (CT) of the chest, arterial blood gas analysis.

Be sure to tell your doctor if:

• you smoke or have smoked in the past;
• you are exposed to any fumes at work;
• you have to regularly breathe other people's cigarette smoke;
• one of your close relatives has been diagnosed with COPD;
• you have asthma or other chronic respiratory problems;
• you are taking any medication on a regular basis.

This information should be enough COPD Symptoms and Diagnosis for the doctor to confirm chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or to suggest another disorder with similar symptoms - the same asthma or heart failure.

How to treat COPD

There is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Treatment. But there are ways to slow down, or even stop the development of the disease and alleviate the existing symptoms. Here they are:

• If you smoke, quit.
• Try to avoid exposure to other people's cigarette smoke and chemical fumes.
• Take any medication your doctor prescribes. These are drugs that help relax the muscles in the airways or reduce inflammation. They are usually taken through an inhaler or nebulizer, but in some cases, a doctor may prescribe medication in pill form.
• Do lung exercises. Which ones - the doctor will tell you.

If COPD is severe, more serious measures may be required. For example, oxygen therapy - you will inhale oxygen through a mask. Or an operation in which the surgeon removes the hardest part of the lung.