Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, better known as COPD, is a disease that often affects people for years before they attribute symptoms to something more serious than a cold. Approximately 30 million Americans have COPD with an estimated 65 million worldwide experiencing moderate to severe COPD.
The disease is long-term and progressive (hence, chronic); obstructive, in that the ability to move air in/out of the lungs is worsened over time; and pulmonary, as the disease is located in the lungs. Currently, COPD is an incurable disease, but with the right treatment, individuals diagnosed can still have a good quality of life.
What is COPD?
COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. It prevents the elasticity of the bronchial tubes and air sacs to force air out of the body, leaving some air trapped in the lungs upon exhalation. The majority of cases are caused by smoking or occupational exposures to chemical fumes and various forms of dust. Some cases are caused by other irritants like secondhand smoke and air pollution. A small percentage of cases are caused by a genetic disorder or a pre-existing case of asthma.
Doctors use four stages to classify different cases of COPD, which they determine using a series of tests:
- Mild
- Moderate
- Severe
- Very severe
Conditions
There are two main conditions that occur with COPD; they vary in severity across patients.
- Emphysema – Destroys the elastic fibers and walls of the alveoli, resulting in small airways collapsing when exhaling and impacting the airflow out of the lungs.
- Chronic bronchitis – Causes the bronchial tubes to be narrow and inflamed, forcing the lungs to produce more mucus which ultimately blocks the tubes and results in a persistent cough.
Early Signs and Symptoms
It’s important to track any changes in your health, no matter how small or seemingly unimportant they are. Because COPD symptoms are often subtle, it’s difficult to catch this disease before it worsens. Common symptoms include:
- Difficulty with breathing
- Shortness of breath, especially while doing physical activities or in the morning upon awakening
- Coughing and wheezing
- Tightening of the chest
- Mucus production, coughed up from the lower airways
- Lack of energy
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Swelling in the ankles, feet, and legs
Usually, these symptoms don’t appear until there is more significant lung damage. They tend to get worse over time and may develop into respiratory infections (colds, the flu, pneumonia), heart problems (heart disease, including heart attack), lung cancer, high blood pressure, and depression.
Treatment Options
Although COPD is a chronic, progressive condition, there are many ways that you can treat it and experience an improved quality of life. Common treatment options, prescribed by a doctor, include:
- Bronchodilator medication – most commonly in inhaler form – works by relaxing air passages to ease the flow of air in and out of the lungs.
- Antibiotics may be prescribed to prevent lung infections.
- Steroids help to reduce lung inflammation.
- Pulmonary rehab, a program designed by a team of healthcare professionals, outlines everything from exercises to build lung strength to counselling to learn how to cope with the disease.
- Oxygen therapy involves inhaling supplementary oxygen through nasal prongs or a face mask to aid in breathing, fatigue, and sleep.
- Surgery may be recommended by your doctor once the COPD has reached a severe state. Various surges can be done, including a full lung transplant.
Talk To Your Doctor
It is critical to talk with your doctor if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above for an unknown reason or you have an infection (e.g., fever). Despite being a progressive disease, COPD is treatable, and in most cases, can have the progression slowed. Your doctor can work with you to properly manage COPD so you have a better quality of life, reduced risk of associated conditions, and less damage to your lungs.