What is Chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung
disorder, developed due to the inflammation and blockage of the
airways and air sacs. Symptoms of COPD are chronic and productive
cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness and fatigue.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) is a slow developing disease that causes problems
in breathing. In a healthy person, the respiratory tract - main
airways and air sacs are elastic and springy. Due to elasticity of
the air sacs, they are filled with air during inhalation and
deflate during exhalation. This cycle allows an easy breathing in
a normal healthy person. In case of an individual having chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, the main airways and air sacs lose
their elasticity and shape, thus leading to difficulty in
breathing and/or shortness of breath.
Prolonged smoking is the most common cause of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease. It is also observed that people who have a
family history of COPD are at a higher risk of developing this
pulmonary disorder. Other factors that contribute to the
development of COPD include infection, allergies and inhalation of
lung irritants like pollens, dusts, smokes and other harmful
chemicals. Unlike the symptoms of asthma (a pulmonary disease)
that causes reversible air flow limitation, there is chronic,
obstructive air flow in and out of the lungs in COPD.
Symptoms of COPD (Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease encompasses two related
pulmonary disorders, namely, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In
chronic bronchitis, there is inflammation or abnormal swelling of
the main airways due to constant irritation. Chronic bronchitis is
also characterized by abnormal secretion of mucous. In case of
emphysema, inflammation occurs in the smaller air sacs. Both these
medical conditions may be accompanied by lung damage.
The outcome of chronic bronchitis and emphysema is narrowing or
blockage of the respiratory passages, leading to breathing
disorder. Overall, the chronic airflow obstruction in COPD may be
caused due to the factors - damage of the walls between the air
sacs, loss of elasticity of the mucous linings, inflammation in
the walls of the airways and clogging of the respiratory passages
by excessive mucous secretion.
Chronic cough is the early noticeable sign of COPD. If cough is
left untreated, it progresses to productive cough with mucus
secretions. In the first few weeks, coughing up mucous tends to
remain in on and off condition. However, it turns into a chronic
condition over a period of time. In such a condition, the person
may cough up a lot of mucus daily. Many a times, people consider
this productive cough to be smokers' cough.
The symptoms of breathlessness develop gradually. Initially, a
difficulty in breathing is observed during physical exertion like
aerobic exercise or climbing stairs. However, it turns chronic
after some time. The symptoms of breathlessness worsen in people
who continue smoking. At this stage, the patient faces problem in
breathing even at rest or during less physical activity.
Other symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are
dysphagia, wheezing, morning headache, fatigue and at times,
fever. Studies have revealed that people with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease are more susceptible to chest infections than
others. The symptoms of COPD may worsen with chest infection. If
chest infection occurs, the expelled sputum is yellow or green in
color. The pathophysiology of COPD is highly complex. As of now,
it is not clearly understood about the structural and
physiological changes developed due to COPD.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is diagnosed based on the
symptoms, imaging tests (X-ray and computed tomography or CT) and
pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Various treatment options include
smoking cessation, medications, inhalation therapy and antibiotics
(if infection is present). The most effective treatment option is
to quit smoking immediately. The physician may consider surgical
removal of the affected lung portion in severe cases of COPD.
COPD is a lung disease
that's usually caused by smoking
SPIRIVA is a once-daily
inhaled maintenance prescription treatment for COPD
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