Prevention Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Unlike some diseases, COPD is usually a clear cause and a clear path to prevention. The vast majority of cases is directly related to smoking, and the best way to prevent COPD have never smoked - or to quit smoking.

If you are a smoker for many years, these simple statements do not seem so simple, especially if you have tried to stop - once or twice before. But it is crucial to find a smoking cessation program that can help you stop smoking for good. This is your best chance to avoid damage to your lungs.

Occupational exposure to chemical fumes and dust is another risk factor for COPD. If you work with this type of lung irritant, talk to your supervisor about how best to protect yourself by wearing a mask.

Treatment Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

There is no cure for COPD, and can not repair the damage to the lungs. But treatments can control symptoms of COPD, to reduce their risk of complications and exacerbations and improve their ability to lead an active life.

Stop smoking

The most crucial step in any strategy for the treatment of smokers with COPD is to quit all. It's the only way to keep COPD from getting worse - which over time can lead to losing your ability to breathe. But quitting is never easy. And this task may seem daunting especially if you tried to quit smoking. Talk to your doctor about alternatives to nicotine and drugs can help.

Medicine

Doctors use several basic groups of medications to treat the symptoms and complications of COPD. You can take any medications on a regular basis and others as needed:

Bronchodilators. These medications - which usually comes in an inhaler - relax the muscles around your Airways. This can help relieve cough and shortness of breath and make breathing easier. Depending on the severity of your illness, you can use a short-acting bronchodilator previous activities, a bronchodilator long-acting that you use every day, or both.

Inhaled. Inhaled corticosteroids may reduce inflammation of the airways and helps you breathe better. But the long-term use of these drugs can weaken bones and increase the risk of hypertension, cataracts and diabetes. They are usually reserved for people with moderate to severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Antibiotics. Respiratory infections - such as bronchitis, pneumonia and acute influenza - can worsen the symptoms of COPD. Antibiotics can help fight bacterial infections, but is recommended only when necessary.

Therapy

Oxygen therapy. If you do not have enough oxygen in the blood may need supplemental oxygen. There are a number of devices for the supply of oxygen to the lungs, such as lightweight, portable units that can take you on errands and around town. Some people with COPD to use oxygen only during exercise or during sleep. Others use oxygen all the time.

Pulmonary rehabilitation program. These programs combine general education, training, nutrition tips and advice. If referred to a program, you may work with a wide range of health professionals, including physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, exercise specialists and dietitians. These specialists can tailor your rehabilitation program to meet your needs. Regular exercise can significantly improve the efficiency of your cardiovascular system.

Surgery

Surgery is an option for some people with certain forms of severe emphysema who are not adequately using medicine for themselves:

Lung volume reduction surgery. In this surgery, your surgeon removes small wedges of damaged lung tissue. This creates an extra space in the thoracic cavity, so that the remaining lung tissue and diaphragm work more efficiently. The operation has a number of risks and long-term results may be superior to surgical approaches.

Lung transplantation. Single lung transplantation may be an option for some people with severe emphysema who meet specific criteria. Transplantation can improve your ability to breathe and be active, but does not appear to prolong life and may have to wait long for an organ donation. So the decision to undergo lung transplantation is complex.

Management of exacerbations

Even with continuous treatment, you may experience times when symptoms suddenly get worse. This is called an acute exacerbation, and can cause lung failure, if not treated timely. Exacerbations can be caused by a respiratory infection, a change in outside temperature or high levels of air pollution. Seek medical attention if you notice more coughing or a change in mucus or have trouble breathing harder.

Symptoms Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

In general, the symptoms of COPD do not appear until significant lung damage has occurred, and usually worsens over time. People with COPD may experience episodes called flares when your symptoms suddenly get much worse.

Signs and symptoms of COPD can vary from a lung disease is the most visible. Most people have more than one of these symptoms at the same time.

Breathlessness

Whistle

Chest tightness

Chronic cough

Causes Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD mainly refers to the obstruction of the lungs caused by a chronic asthmatic bronchitis and emphysema. Many people with COPD have both.

Chronic asthmatic bronchitis

Chronic asthmatic bronchitis causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways that lead into your lungs. This can lead to coughing and wheezing. Chronic asthmatic bronchitis also increases the production of mucus, which can also block the fallopian narrowed.

Emphysema

Emphysema damages the tiny air sacs in the lungs (alveoli) in two main ways. The cells are clustered like grapes and emphysema gradually destroys the inner walls of these groups, reducing the amount of available area for oxygen exchange of carbon dioxide. In addition, emphysema also makes cell walls weaker and less elastic, so that collapse with exhalation - air trapped in the alveoli. Shortness of breath is because the chest wall muscles must work harder to expel the air.

Cigarette smoke and other irritants

COPD is usually caused by prolonged exposure to irritants in the air, such as:

Tobacco smoke

Dust

Chemical fumes

Air pollution

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Overview

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung diseases that block air flow as you exhale, and make it more difficult for you to breathe.

Emphysema and chronic asthmatic bronchitis are the two main conditions that compose COPD. In all cases, the damage to your airways can interfere with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your lungs.

COPD is a major cause of death worldwide and the disease. Most COPD is caused by smoking in the long term and can be prevented by not smoking or quitting once. This damage to the lungs can not be reversed, so treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and minimize the damage.