Here’s everything you need to know about COPD

Living with a chronic condition is quite challenging. It takes a toll on one’s physical health and psychological well-being. One such chronic condition that affects approximately 65 million people worldwide and 12 million adults in the country is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is an umbrella term that’s applied to a group of progressive lung diseases, such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma. 

Types of COPD and its effects 

What makes COPD quite formidable is that it is a progressive condition and currently incurable. However, with timely diagnosis and treatment, people with COPD can coexist with the condition.

• Emphysema
  This condition arises due to damage to the air sacs (alveoli), which destroys the walls inside them and causes them to merge into a giant air sac. This air sac cannot absorb oxygen well; as a result, the oxygen levels in the bloodstream are dramatically reduced. Damaged alveoli can force the lungs to stretch out and lose their elasticity. So, the air that gets trapped in the lungs cannot be exhaled, which is why one experiences shortness of breath.

• Chronic bronchitis
  When the bronchial tubes are irritated and swollen, it causes bronchitis, triggers of cough, and shortness of breath. If the mucus is accompanied by a cough that lasts for at least three months in the last two years, the condition is termed as chronic bronchitis. Hair-like fibers that line the bronchial tubes of the lungs are called cilia. The cilia help move the mucus up to the tubes so that it can be coughed out. In chronic bronchitis, the tubes lose their cilia and this makes it hard to cough up mucus. This leads to more coughing and thus begins the vicious circle of chronic bronchitis.

• Refractory asthma
  This type of asthma is non-reversible and doesn’t respond to normal asthma medications. This makes it quite difficult to bring the condition under control. 

Causes of COPD

The major causes of COPD include:

• Smoking
  The most common cause of COPD is smoking. It can even occur if one uses tobacco products, such as cigars, especially if they breathe in the smoke.
• Pollution and fumes
  Another prominent cause of COPD is air pollution. If one is regularly exposed to chemical fumes, dust, or toxic substances at work, they become highly susceptible to COPD.
• Secondhand smoke
  Even if one isn’t a smoker, there are high chances that they can develop COPD by living with someone who smokes. Secondhand smoking is far more dangerous than it seems.
• Genetic predisposition
  In rare COPD cases, people develop this condition due to a defect in their DNA. This defect is known as “alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency” or AAT deficiency. When an individual has this DNA code, the lungs do not have enough protein for protection. This can lead to severe COPD.

• Asthma
  If asthma is left untreated for a long time, the damaged lungs can lead to COPD.

Symptoms of COPD

The symptoms of COPD appear only after severe lung damage and they worsen with time. The major symptom of COPD is coughing and mucus production for at least three months in a year or two consecutive years. The other symptoms of COPD include:

• Chest tightness
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities
• Blueness of the lips or fingernail beds
• Having to clear throat the first thing in the morning due to excess mucus in the lungs
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Lack of energy
• Swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs
• A chronic cough that produces mucus that can be white, clear, yellow, or greenish

Diagnosing COPD

The tests to diagnose COPD include:

• Lung (pulmonary) function tests
  This test measures the amount of air one can inhale and exhale, and whether the lungs are delivering the required amount of oxygen. It involves using a small machine called a spirometer. An individual has to blow into a large tube that’s connected to the machine. The machine measures how much air the lungs can hold, and how fast can one blow the air out of the lungs.
• Chest X-ray
  A chest X-ray can be used to diagnose emphysema, which is one of the ailments that constitutes COPD. 
• CT scan
  A CT scan of the lungs can detect emphysema. This helps determine whether surgery can treat COPD.
• Arterial blood gas analysis
  This blood test is used to measure how well the lungs can bring oxygen into the bloodstream and remove carbon dioxide.

Treating COPD

For milder forms of COPD, a little therapy combined with smoking cessation does the trick. For advanced stages of the condition, effective therapy and surgery can control the symptoms, reduce the risk of complications and exacerbations, and improve the ability to lead an active life. The treatments for COPD include:

• Smoking cessation
  The easiest and first step to treat COPD is to stop smoking. Though it takes time to quit smoking and it isn’t an easy task, it improves one’s ability to breathe clearly. Moreover, it is a good idea to avoid secondhand smoke exposure as well. 
• Medications
  For moderate to severe COPD, doctors prescribe medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, oral steroids, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors, theophylline, combination inhalers, and antibiotics. 
• Lung therapy
  Doctors might also prescribe additional therapies like oxygen therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation program for people with moderate or severe COPD.
• Surgery
  Surgery is prescribed for people with some forms of severe emphysema when medications fail to work. The surgical options include lung volume reduction surgery, lung transplant, bullectomy.

Natural remedies to treat COPD
Certain lifestyle remedies can help improve the condition and slow the damage to the lungs. They are:

• Controlling one’s breathing
  The doctor or respiratory therapist can teach techniques to breathe more efficiently throughout the day. The breathing positions and relaxation techniques can help deal with shortness of breath.
• Exercise regularly
  Regular exercise can improve one’s overall strength and endurance of the respiratory muscles. It is essential to discuss what is suitable before engaging in any physical activity.
• Eat healthy food
  A healthy diet can contribute to maintaining strength. In case one is underweight, the doctor might recommend nutritional supplements, and if overweight, losing the extra pounds can help one breathe better. It is advisable to stick to a diet that is high in fat and low in carbs. Adding protein-rich foods, complex carbs, potassium-rich foods, fresh produce, and healthy fats can help one stay fit enough to control COPD.
• Clear the airways
  It is essential to keep the airways clean. One can achieve that by drinking plenty of water. One can even consider using a humidifier to keep the air clean. 

This article is for information purposes only. Always consult and seek the advice of a physician/licensed healthcare professional with any questions regarding a medical condition or medication.