WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE
Christiane Tourtet B.A.
January 01, 2008
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is quite a serious disease of the lungs, which, over time, makes it difficult to breath. It causes serious, long-term disability and is the 4th leading cause of death in America. Over 12 million people have been currently diagnosed with COPD and additionally 12 million are most likely have the disease and are not aware of it. COPD can be called by other names, such as chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. When people have COPD, the airways, ( the tubes that carry air in and out to the lungs) are partially blocked and that makes it hard for the air to get in or out.
COPD most often occurs in people age 40 and over, who smoke or are former smokers. COPD accounts for as many as 9 out of 10 related death. However, 1 out of 6 people who never smoked have COPD. Environmental exposure is significant as COPD can develop in people who had long term exposure to dust, fumes in the workplace, certain chemicals. long- term or heavy exposure to air pollutants and second hand smoke.
COPD in some people is caused by a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin or AAT deficiency .It is estimated that almost 100.000 people in America, have AAT deficiency, and these people can get COPD even if they have never smoked or had long-term exposure to toxic pollutants. Many people due to COPD avoid activities they used to enjoy because they experience shortness of breath much more easily. Some of the symptoms of COPD are, wheezing, constant coughing, excess production of sputum,
inability to take a deep breath, shortness of breath while doing activities that used to be done. If COPD is severe, then shortness of breath and other symptoms can come in the way of doing basic tasks, such as bathing, getting dressed, light housework, taking a walk. COPD develops at a slow pace, and over time can worsen, so it is quite important to report any symptoms you might have to your doctor as early as possible, no matter how mild they seem to be.
You should be tested for COPD via spirometry. Spirometry is able to detect COPD symptoms before symptoms become severe. It is a non-invasive and simple test that measures the amount of air a person is able to blow out of the lungs (volume) and how fast that person can blow it out (flow). It is one of the best and most common lung function tests. A spirometer is a machine that measures function of the lungs, records the results, and displays them for your doctor on a graph. You will be asked to take a real deep breath, then blow it out as fast and hard as you possibly can, using a mouthpiece with tubing connected to the machine. The spirometer, then, measures the forced vital capacity (FVC) which is the total amount exhaled, and how much you have exhaled in the first second, which is called the forced expiratory volume in 1 second or FEV. Your doctor, then will be able to read the results to determine how well your lungs are working and if you have COPD or not.
If you are at risk for COPD, there are many things that you can do, such as quit smoking, avoid exposure to pollutants, and things that can irritate your lungs, such as dust, and strong fumes. It is best to stay indoors when there is poor air quality outside. Try to stay away from places where there might be cigarette smoke It is important to visit your doctor on a regular basis even if you feel fine Try to avoid crowds during flu season.
If you have been diagnosed with COPD, there are several treatments options, such as medications in the form of bronchodilators and inhaled steroids, pulmonary rehabilitation, physical activity training, lifestyle changes, oxygen therapy, and surgery for COPD persons who have very severe breathing symptoms all the time. Keep in mind that symptoms of COPD can worsen all of a sudden. When this occurs, you might experience chest tightness, change in your cough, more coughing, and it may be much harder to catch your breath. It also could be a sign of lung infection, or other cause such as heart disease related to severe lung damage. The best thing to do is to call your doctor immediately so the cause of the problem can be found and steps taken to treat it.
Remember to seek emergency help if your usual medications are not working, your heart is beating very fast and irregularly, you find that it is unusually difficult to talk or walk, your lips or fingernails are blue or gray, and your breathing is hard and fast even when you use your medication. Make sure that you have on hand all needed information necessary for you and others in case of medical emergency, such as the name of your doctor, and her/his contact information, list of medicines you are taking, directions to your doctor´s office or to the hospital, and people that can be contacted if you are unable to speak or unable to drive yourself to the doctor or hospital
Reference :
U.S Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
© 2008 Christiane Tourtet, all rights reserved.
COPD most often occurs in people age 40 and over, who smoke or are former smokers. COPD accounts for as many as 9 out of 10 related death. However, 1 out of 6 people who never smoked have COPD. Environmental exposure is significant as COPD can develop in people who had long term exposure to dust, fumes in the workplace, certain chemicals. long- term or heavy exposure to air pollutants and second hand smoke.
COPD in some people is caused by a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin or AAT deficiency .It is estimated that almost 100.000 people in America, have AAT deficiency, and these people can get COPD even if they have never smoked or had long-term exposure to toxic pollutants. Many people due to COPD avoid activities they used to enjoy because they experience shortness of breath much more easily. Some of the symptoms of COPD are, wheezing, constant coughing, excess production of sputum,
inability to take a deep breath, shortness of breath while doing activities that used to be done. If COPD is severe, then shortness of breath and other symptoms can come in the way of doing basic tasks, such as bathing, getting dressed, light housework, taking a walk. COPD develops at a slow pace, and over time can worsen, so it is quite important to report any symptoms you might have to your doctor as early as possible, no matter how mild they seem to be.
You should be tested for COPD via spirometry. Spirometry is able to detect COPD symptoms before symptoms become severe. It is a non-invasive and simple test that measures the amount of air a person is able to blow out of the lungs (volume) and how fast that person can blow it out (flow). It is one of the best and most common lung function tests. A spirometer is a machine that measures function of the lungs, records the results, and displays them for your doctor on a graph. You will be asked to take a real deep breath, then blow it out as fast and hard as you possibly can, using a mouthpiece with tubing connected to the machine. The spirometer, then, measures the forced vital capacity (FVC) which is the total amount exhaled, and how much you have exhaled in the first second, which is called the forced expiratory volume in 1 second or FEV. Your doctor, then will be able to read the results to determine how well your lungs are working and if you have COPD or not.
If you are at risk for COPD, there are many things that you can do, such as quit smoking, avoid exposure to pollutants, and things that can irritate your lungs, such as dust, and strong fumes. It is best to stay indoors when there is poor air quality outside. Try to stay away from places where there might be cigarette smoke It is important to visit your doctor on a regular basis even if you feel fine Try to avoid crowds during flu season.
If you have been diagnosed with COPD, there are several treatments options, such as medications in the form of bronchodilators and inhaled steroids, pulmonary rehabilitation, physical activity training, lifestyle changes, oxygen therapy, and surgery for COPD persons who have very severe breathing symptoms all the time. Keep in mind that symptoms of COPD can worsen all of a sudden. When this occurs, you might experience chest tightness, change in your cough, more coughing, and it may be much harder to catch your breath. It also could be a sign of lung infection, or other cause such as heart disease related to severe lung damage. The best thing to do is to call your doctor immediately so the cause of the problem can be found and steps taken to treat it.
Remember to seek emergency help if your usual medications are not working, your heart is beating very fast and irregularly, you find that it is unusually difficult to talk or walk, your lips or fingernails are blue or gray, and your breathing is hard and fast even when you use your medication. Make sure that you have on hand all needed information necessary for you and others in case of medical emergency, such as the name of your doctor, and her/his contact information, list of medicines you are taking, directions to your doctor´s office or to the hospital, and people that can be contacted if you are unable to speak or unable to drive yourself to the doctor or hospital
Reference :
U.S Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Heart Lung and Blood Institute.
© 2008 Christiane Tourtet, all rights reserved.
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