Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name of disease in which the group of lung severe condition cause breathing difficulties.

It includes:

•    emphysema: injury to the air sacs in the lungs

•    chronic bronchitis: long-term swelling of the respiratory airways

Emphysema slowly finishes air sacs in your lungs, which interferes with outward air flow. Bronchitis causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, which allow mucus to grow there.

COPD is a disease which mainly effect the middle age or aged people who smoke and most of them do not realize having it

 

Symptoms of COPD

COPD can present with following characteristic symptoms:

• breathing difficulty, particularly when you're active
• a productive cough with phlegm – also known as "smoker's cough"
• common chest infections
• persistent wheezing
• frequent respiratory infections
• lack of energy
• weight loss
• swelling in ankles and foot

 

If not treated early, the symptoms gradually get worse and can sometimes present as a flare-up or exacerbation of COPD.

 

 

Causes of COPD

COPD occurs when the lungs become inflamed, damaged and narrowed, making it difficult to breathe. It is commonly caused by smoking but, it can also affect nonsmokers. The symptoms increase gradually with frequency of smoking. On the other hand, COPD is also a genetic disease characterized by damaged or narrowed airway.

Air pollution, deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin and a few other conditions also cause the development of COPD. Chronic bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, and similar diseases can also contribute to the growth of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

 

 When to See A Doctor?

Go and see your doctor if:

• your symptoms are not improving with treatment
• Symptoms are getting worse
• if you notice symptoms of an infection, such as fever or a change in sputum

 

Seek fast medical care if:

• you can't catch your breath
• you experience severe color change of your body, your lips or fingernail beds (cyanosis)
• If you experience high rate of heartbeat
• if you feel unclear and have trouble concentrating

 

Treatment for COPD

The damage to the lungs caused by COPD is permanent, but treatment can help slow the development of the condition.

 

Treatment includes:

Stopping Smoking: if you have COPD and you smoke, this is the most important thing you can use

inhalers and medicines – to help make easy for yourself to breathe.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation – a specialized programmed of exercise and education

Surgery or a Lung Transplant although this is only an option for a very small number of people

References

1. 
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559281/#:~:text=Chronic%20obstructive%20pulmonary%20disease%20(COPD)%20is%20a%20common%20and%20treatable,gases%20most%20commonly%20cigarette%20smoke.

 

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4106574/
2. https://www.healthline.com/health/copd

 

 

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