catch your breath: understanding chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects about 16 million Americans. This respiratory condition can affect your quality of life but is manageable with the right treatment.

What is COPD?

It’s an inflammatory lung disease that makes it difficult for air to flow from your lungs. When you inhale, air travels down your trachea to two bronchi tubes that divide into smaller branches in your lungs called bronchioles.

The bronchioles end in tiny air sacs called alveoli which allow oxygen to pass through blood vessels and into your bloodstream. COPD reduces the elasticity of the bronchial tubes and weakens the alveoli, making it difficult to exhale and expel carbon dioxide.

What Causes COPD?

Exposure to smoke, air pollutants and particulate matter can cause COPD. Living or working in environments with smoke, pollution, toxic fumes, dust and debris increases your risk of developing COPD.

Risk factors for COPD include:

• Tobacco use
• Asthma
• Occupational exposure
• Genetics

Symptoms of COPD

• Shortness of breath during activity or exercise
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Chronic coughing, often producing phlegm
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Swelling of the chest cavity, legs, ankles and feet
• Unexpected weight loss
• Blue tinge to lips, fingers and toes
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

Diagnosing COPD

It’s important to see your doctor as soon as you notice symptoms, as most COPD cases aren’t diagnosed until the lungs have sustained serious damage.

COPD is diagnosed using spirometry. During the assessment, you’ll wear a clip over your nose to close your nostrils and breath into a tube attached to a spirometer. After you inhale, you’ll exhale for as long as possible and repeat that process three times. The spirometer will measure your lung volume, capacity, gas exchange and airflow rate.

The following stages categorize a COPD diagnosis:

Stage 1 COPD: You might not realize you have COPD as you experience mild coughing episodes, slight breathlessness and phlegm production.

Stage 2 COPD: More frequent coughing and phlegm are likely. You may need to seek pulmonary rehabilitation to address your breathing issues.

Stage 3 COPD: Your quality of life is greatly affected by COPD. Breathing is more difficult while doing everyday activities and exercising. You may face decreased lung function and require medication to reduce lung inflammation.

Stage 4 COPD: Your COPD flares up frequently, severely impacting your daily life. Symptoms can become life-threatening and necessitate the use of oxygen therapy.

Short- and Long-Term COPD Care

COPD treatment and care depend on your diagnosis. Early-stage COPD is manageable with lifestyle changes and sometimes medication. It’s essential to eliminate tobacco use and exposure and avoid air pollutants as much as possible. Your doctor may prescribe bronchodilators and inhaled steroids to reduce inflammation in your lungs.

The latter stages of COPD often require more intensive care in a long-term or skilled nursing facility. That could involve using supplemental oxygen to boost your blood oxygen level. Severe COPD symptoms often include excessive phlegm production, requiring suction to clear your airways.

Embassy Healthcare offers comprehensive pulmonary care to help you manage your respiratory health. Call 216-378-2050 or contact us online for service information.