Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is an umbrella term for numerous lung diseases that affect breathing. It refers to lung diseases that are chronic, progressive and mostly irreversible. The most common lung diseases included under this term are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease damages the airways that carry air to the lungs.

The airway walls become narrowed and swollen, therefore obstructing the airflow in and out of the lungs. Some forms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can scar the lungs and lead to increased airway resistance. Other forms can induce the excessive secretion of phlegm that the lungs are not able to clear.

1Causes

Causes

There are some risk factors that increase the chance of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease:

Air pollution including biomass fuel used for cooking, or pollutants in the workplace such as dusts and chemicals, may also lead to the progression of the disease.
Smoking is the main risk factor in the majority of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease cases. It leads to the damage and inflammation of the lining of the lung airways.
Those who lack a specific protein (alpha-1 antitrypsin), whose role is to protect the lung, have a greater risk of developing emphysema.
Those who suffered from regular respiratory infections during childhood are more prone to developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

2Symptoms

Symptoms

The lung damage caused by COPD is irreversible. However, there are treatment options available to alleviate your symptoms and reduce the damage to your lungs. Your doctor will evaluate your condition and suggest the most suitable treatment options. These may include:

Cessation of smoking – The most important measure needed to slow the progression of the disease and increase the rate of survival
Home oxygen therapy – For severe copd as blood oxygen can be constantly low. Oxygen is supplied by using an oxygen concentrator or oxygen tanks
Lung transplantation – For extreme COPD cases
Lung volume reduction surgery to remove the diseased part of the lung – For certain patients (i.e. Those that suffer from emphysema)
Medication – Including inhalers and tablets to help open the airways, and antibiotics and steroids to manage inflammation of the airways
Pulmonary rehabilitation – For those with severe COPD. This involves exercise training, patient education, dietary guidance and psychological counselling
Yearly influenza vaccines as well as vaccination against pneumococcus (most common cause of pneumonia)

3Treatment

Treatment

Cessation of smoking – The most important measure needed to slow the progression of the disease and increase the rate of survival
Home oxygen therapy – For severe copd as blood oxygen can be constantly low. Oxygen is supplied by using an oxygen concentrator or oxygen tanks
Lung transplantation – For extreme COPD cases
Lung volume reduction surgery to remove the diseased part of the lung – For certain patients (i.e. Those that suffer from emphysema)
Medication – Including inhalers and tablets to help open the airways, and antibiotics and steroids to manage inflammation of the airways
Pulmonary rehabilitation – For those with severe COPD. This involves exercise training, patient education, dietary guidance and psychological counselling
Yearly influenza vaccines as well as vaccination against pneumococcus (most common cause of pneumonia)

4Complications & Related Diseases

Complications & Related Diseases

accordionniac arrhythmias (heart beat irregularities)
Frequent respiratory infections including pneumonia
Heart failure
Sleep disorders