CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY 

DISEASE: (COPD)

 

 

COPD



A group of progressive lung disorders is known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Over time, COPD causes damage to your lungs. It could begin with minor symptoms before getting worse. Treatment can lessen symptoms and delay the onset of the disease.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most prevalent of these conditions. Both of these conditions are common among COPD sufferers.

  • .     EMPHYSEMA: Your lungs’ air sacs are steadily destroyed by emphysema, which obstructs outward airflow.  
  •        BRONCHITIS: The bronchial tubes become inflamed and constricted due to bronchitis, which makes it possible for mucus to accumulate.

If left untreated, COPD will accelerate the disease’s course, cause cardiac issues, and exacerbate respiratory infections.

 

 

bronchitis & emphysema



SYMPTOMS OF COPD:

Breathing becomes more difficult with COPD. Initial signs could be intermittent coughing and shortness of breath, which are mild symptoms. As it worsens, the symptoms may become more frequent to the point where breathing may become more challenging.

You may wheeze, feel tight in the chest, or produce more sputum than usual. Some COPD sufferers experience acute exacerbations, which are severe symptom flare-ups.

 

EARLY SYMPTOMS:

The early stages of COPD symptoms might be quite mild. They might be misdiagnosed as a cold.

Early signs consist of:

  • Having too often clear your throat, especially when you wake up in the morning. 
  • Experiencing periodic shortness of breath, especially after activity
  • Having a small but persistent cough.
  • You might begin to make small adjustments, like avoiding the stairs and missing workouts.

AGGRAVATED SYMPTOMS:

Symptoms may worsen with time and become more difficult to ignore. You may encounter the following symptoms as the lungs become increasingly damaged:

  • Shortness of breath following even light exercise, such as walking up a flight of steps
  • Wheezing is a form of louder, higher-pitched breathing that occurs primarily during exhalations.
  • Chest discomfort
  • A persistent cough that produces mucus or not 
  • The requirement is to remove mucus from your lungs each day.
  • Recurrent respiratory infections like the flu or the cold
  • Lack of strength

 

LATER STAGE COPD:

The following symptoms may also appear in the later stages of COPD:

  • Weakness 
  • Swollen ankles, feet, or legs 
  • Weight loss

If you presently smoke or are frequently around smoke from others, your symptoms are probably going to be considered severe.

 

Sign & symptoms of COPD

 

CAUSES:

Several processes can cause the airways to narrow, resulting in COPD. Parts of the lung may be destroyed, mucus may block the airways, and the airway lining may be inflamed and swollen.

COPD develops gradually over time, frequently as a result of a combination of risk factors:

  • Tobacco exposure via active smoking or passive second-hand smoke exposure.
  • Occupational exposure to particles fumes, or chemicals. 
  • Indoor air pollution: in middle-income and low-income nations with high levels of smoke exposure, coal is frequently used for cooking and heating. 
  • Early life events such as poor fetal growth, prematurity, and ongoing or serious respiratory illnesses in childhood prevent ultimate lung growth. 
  • Asthma in childhood.

If a person exhibits common symptoms, COPD should be considered, and the diagnosis verified by a breathing test called spirometry, which assesses how well the lungs perform. Spirometry is frequently unavailable in low- and middle-income nations, therefore the diagnosis may be missed.

 

EXAMINATION & TEST:

During the physical exam, your doctor will listen to your lungs as you breathe with a stethoscope. Your doctor may request some of the following tests based on all of this information to gain a full picture:

1. Spirometry: 

Spirometry is a noninvasive lung function test. Take a big breath and then blow into a tube linked to the spirometer during the exam.

2; Imaging testing: 

Such as a chest X-ray or a CT scan. These scans can provide you a close-up view of your lungs, blood vessels, and heart.

3. An arterial blood gas (ABG) analysis

This involves drawing blood from an artery and measuring your blood oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other vital levels.

These tests can help you establish whether you have COPD or another ailment such as restrictive lung disease, asthma, or heart failure.

 

TREATMENT:

Treatment an alleviate symptoms, avoid complications, and reduce disease development in general. A lung expert (pulmonologist) and physical and respiratory therapists may be part of your treatment team.

 

1. OXYGEN THERAPY:

If your blood oxygen level is too low, you can get supplementary oxygen via a mask or nasal cannula to help you breathe better. A portable unit can help you get around more easily.

2. MEDICATION OF COPD:

Medications can alleviate symptoms and minimize flare-ups. It may take some trial and error to find the drug and dosage that is right for you, but here are some options.

3. BRONCHODILATORS INHALED:

Bronchodilators are medications that assist relax the muscles in your airways. They are commonly administered using an inhaler or nebulizer.

Short-acting bronchodilators have a half-life of 4 to 6 hours. You only use them when necessary. There are long-acting variants that you can use every day for chronic problems. They last approximately 12 hours.

 Here is a list of suggested Long acing bronchodilator therapies for people with COPD who had experienced a lack of breath or difficulty breathing during exercise:

  • Formoterol/aclidinium
  • Formoterol/glycopyrrolate
  • Olodaterol/ tiotropium
  • Vilanterol/umeclidinium

4. CORTICOSTEROIDS:

Long-acting bronchodilators are frequently used in conjunction with inhaled Gluco-corticosteroids. The long-acting bronchodilator may calm the airway muscle, allowing the airways to remain open. Corticosteroids can also be taken as pills.


5. INHIBITORS OF PHOSPHODIESTERASE-4:

This drug is available in pill form and can help decrease inflammation and calm the airways. It is typically used to treat severe COPD with chronic bronchitis.

6. THEOPHYLLINE:

This medicine relieves chest pain and shortness of breath. It may also aid in the prevention of flare-ups. It is accessible as a pill. It is not typically used as a first-line treatment for COPD. 

7. ANTIBIOTICS AND ANTIVIRAL MEDICATIONS:

When you get certain respiratory infections, you may be administered antibiotics or antivirals.

8. VACCINE:

To reduce your risk of additional respiratory illnesses, consult your doctor about getting a flu shot, a tetanus booster, and a tetanus booster which includes protection against pertussis (whooping cough).

 

LIVING WITH COPD:

COPD necessitates ongoing disease management. This includes adhering to your healthcare team’s recommendations and keeping healthy lifestyle behaviors. Because your lungs are weakened, you should avoid anything that could strain them or cause a flare-up. Here’s a list of things to think about as you make changes to your lifestyle.

1. Quit smoking: Talk to your doctor about smoking cessation programs if you’re having problems quitting. Avoid secondhand smoke, chemical odors, air pollution, and dust as much as possible.

2. Exercise: A little exercise every day will help you stay strong.

3. Eat a nutritious diet: Avoid highly processed foods that are heavy in calories and sodium but low in nutrients.

 

PREVENTION:

1. Treating other conditions: If you have other chronic diseases in addition to COPD, it’s critical to manage them as well, especially diabetes and heart disease.

1.   2.  If you are addicted to smoking your doctor advised taking supportive treatment to quit smoking from your life.

2.   3. Clean up the mess and organize your home so that cleaning and other household duties require less energy.

3.   4. Seek help: It can be a relief to speak with those who understand.

4.   5. Consider participating in a support group.

 

CONCLUSION:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long illness that produces blocked airways from the lungs. Breathing difficulties, coughing with mucus
(sputum) production, and wheezing are all symptoms included.

The most common causes of COPD are tobacco smoking and air pollution. COPD patients are more likely to have additional health issues.

COPD is not curable, although symptoms can be improved by quitting smoking, avoiding air pollution, and getting immunizations to prevent infections. Medicines, oxygen, and pulmonary rehabilitation can also be used to treat it.