What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term that emcompasses two main disorders – emphysema and chronic bronchitis – diseases characterised by obstruction to air flow in and out of the lungs. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis frequently coexist. Thus physicians prefer the terms COPD. In almost all cases, COPD is caused by smoking. If you haven’t quit smoking, do it now!
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COPD – how it affects you
The symptoms of COPD can range from a chronic cough and sputum (“phlegm”) production to severe disabling shortness of breath. Individuals with COPD increasingly lose their ability to breathe. Acute infections or certain weather conditions may temporarily worsen symptoms, occasionally to the point of hospitalisation. Oxygen levels in the blood may fall and carbon dioxide levels may rise, which can cause tiredness, poor concentration and heart strain.
Spirometry, (a breathing test), is the most sensitive and specific test for detecting obstruction of airflown in the lungs. The confirmation of airway obstruction combined with a significant history of exposure to cigarette smoke or pollution helps the doctor to diagnose and assess the severity of the condition.
Treating COPD
Although at present there is no known cure for COPD, there are many things patients can do to feel better. As COPD is an illness that can eventually affect all bodily functions and not just the lungs, proper treatment should be aimed at improving general well-being and health status. Proper nutrition, relaxation, regular exercise and maintaining a positive outlook are as important as medication.
Obviously the first thing to do is to quit smoking.
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Champix(TM) – varenicline – is the first non-nicotine drug developed specifically for smoking cessation and is the first new prescription treatment to help smokers in almost a decade. It can relieve craving and withdrawal symptoms while at the same time blocking the reinforcing effects of nicotine.
Medication
Bronchodilators open up the airways in the lungs, steroids reduce the swelling of the airways and along with other medication they help to control symptoms of COPD. Bronchodilators and steroids come in the form of inhalers, while others come in tables or syrup form.
Your doctor may decide to give you a vaccination against pneumonia and/or influenza because people with COPD may suffer from serious consequences if they get these infections.
For patients with severe COPD, using oxygen continuously (for at least 15 hours a day) can improve longevity and quality of life in hypoxemic patients or patients with low levels of oxygen in the body. But seeking medical help is adviced.
Articles taken from Healthy Times Magazine issue 35
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