COPD – Causes, Treatments, and Symptoms
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a lung disease marked by a progressive and irreversible airflow limitation. Diseases included in COPD are Cystic Fibrosis, Bronchiectasis, Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, and Emphysema. Risk factors include cigarette smoking, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (genetic), and polluted environments.
Pathology of COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common lung disease that results in difficulty breathing due to irritation or injuries to the lung’s tissues arising from smoke and fumes, etc.
When the irritant comes in close contact with the lungs (airway wall), the body’s immune system is activated upon detecting the irritant as a harmful invader, releasing mast cells and neutrophils, eosinophils, and lymphocytes.
Mast cells, when activated, release several chemicals called mediators. These chemicals, including histamine, bradykinin, and prostaglandins, cause an inflammatory response, causing increased blood flow and vasoconstriction.
Following the inflammatory process, there is hyperstimulation of the goblet cells, resulting in increased mucus production. Mucus secreted causes obstruction to the bronchioles resulting in dyspnea and coughing, which may be dry or productive.
Following coughing and narrowing of the airway, forceful breathing will lead to wheezing respiration.
Due to dyspnea and cough, there will be tightness of the chest which manifests in chest pain, thus leading to hypoxia. Following hypoxia, the heart and lungs would want to compensate, resulting in increased heart and respiratory rate and fatigue (that gets worse with mild activity).
Home care services provide comprehensive lung rehab and physiotherapy services that help deal with the COPD mentioned above.
What are the Symptoms of COPD?
- Shortness of Breathing
- Wheezing
- Acute or Chronic Cough
- Fatigue
- Inability to Exercise
- Chest Pressure
- Loss of Muscle
- Weight Loss
- Tightness of Chest
- Lack of Energy
- Frequent Respiratory Tract Infections
- Blueness of Lip & Finger
- Production of Lots of Mucus
- Inability to think due to lack of oxygen
- Trouble Sleeping
- Depression
- Anxiety
So, to return to the original issue, before treating any condition, it is important first to understand the core causes of the problems that are being targeted to cure the sickness effectively.
What Causes COPD?
Though cigarette smoking is considered one of the most common causes of COPD, additional variables also contribute to the disease’s development. These factors include:
- Tobacco smoke exposure – smokers of cigarettes, cigars, marijuana and even pipes are at a greater risk of getting COPD.
- People with Asthma – Asthma is a chronic lung condition that can increase a person’s chance of developing COPD.
- Genetics – Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is an uncommon hereditary disease leading to COPD.
- Long-term exposure to irritants such as vapor, fumes, chemicals, and dust in the workplace can irritate the lungs and contribute to COPD development.
- Long-term exposure to home smoke generated by fuel combustion, such as wood, agricultural waste, and animal dung, has been linked to COPD development.
Treatment of COPD:
COPD patients are more vulnerable to other illnesses such as heart problems and lung cancer. COPD does not have a permanent cure, but with proper management and therapy, a person can lower their chance of developing other diseases, gain control of their symptoms, and live a quality life.
Apart from the doctor’s queries concerning symptoms and family history, a few tests may be directed to confirm a COPD diagnosis.
- The Spirometry test calculates the speed and volume of breath a person can blow out of their lungs. It is one of the most accurate techniques to diagnose COPD.
- Oximetry is another test that may be used to assess how much oxygen is present in a person’s blood (oxygen saturation).
- Blood tests, ECGs, peak flow tests, CT scans, chest X-rays, etc., can all aid in the diagnosis of COPD.
Conclusion:
Home care services in Kolkata provide pulmonary rehabilitation at home. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a fitness program for persons with lung illnesses such as COPD. Stopping smoking is the first step in managing COPD. Nebulized medication, long-term oxygen therapy, or even surgery for individuals with severe COPD are some of the other treatments.