Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Overview from The Mayo Clinic:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an ongoing lung condition caused by damage to the lungs. The damage results in swelling and irritation, also called inflammation, inside the airways that limit airflow into and out of the lungs. This limited airflow is known as obstruction. Symptoms include trouble breathing, a daily cough that brings up mucus and a tight, whistling sound in the lungs called wheezing.
COPD is most often caused by long-term exposure to irritating smoke, fumes, dust or chemicals. The most common cause is cigarette smoke.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common types of COPD. These two conditions usually occur together and can vary in severity among people with COPD.
Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the tubes that bring air into the lungs. These tubes are called bronchi. The inflammation prevents good airflow into and out of the lungs and makes extra mucus. In emphysema, the small air sacs of the lungs, called alveoli, are damaged. The damaged alveoli can't pass enough oxygen into the bloodstream.
Although COPD is a condition that can get worse over time, COPD is treatable. With proper management, most people with COPD can control symptoms and improve their quality of life. Proper management also can lower the risk of other conditions linked to COPD, such as heart disease and lung cancer.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Mayo Clinic Radio
SYMPTOMS
COPD symptoms often don't appear until a lot of lung damage has occurred. Symptoms usually worsen over time, especially if smoking or other irritating exposure continues.
Symptoms of COPD may include:
-Trouble catching your breath, especially during physical activities.
-Wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing.
-Ongoing cough that may bring up a lot of mucus. The mucus may be clear, white, yellow or greenish.
-Chest tightness or heaviness.
-Lack of energy or feeling very tired.
-Frequent lung infections.
-Losing weight without meaning to. This may happen as the condition worsens.
-Swelling in ankles, feet or legs.
People with COPD are also likely to have times when their symptoms become worse than the usual day-to-day variation. This time of worsening symptoms is called an exacerbation (eg-zas-er-bay-shun). Exacerbations can last for several days to weeks. They can be caused by triggers such as smells, cold air, air pollution, colds or infections.
Symptoms may include:
-Working harder than usual to breathe or having trouble breathing.
-Chest tightness.
-Coughing more often.
-More mucus or changes in mucus color or thickness.
-Fever
When To See A Doctor:
Talk with your doctor or other healthcare professional if your symptoms don't get better with treatment or if symptoms get worse. Also talk with your healthcare professional if you notice symptoms of an infection, such as fever or a change in the mucus you cough up.
In the U.S., call 911 or your local emergency number for help or go to the emergency department at a hospital right away if you can't catch your breath, your lips or fingernail beds are blue, you have a fast heartbeat, or you feel foggy and have trouble concentrating.
Causes
The main cause of COPD in developed countries is tobacco smoking. In the developing world, COPD often occurs in people exposed to fumes from burning fuel for cooking and heating in homes that don't have good airflow. Long-term exposure to chemical fumes, vapors and dusts in the workplace is another cause of COPD.
Not all people who have smoked for a long time have COPD symptoms, but they may still have lung damage, so their lungs don't work as well as they used to. Some people who smoke get less common lung conditions that may be diagnosed as COPD until a more thorough exam shows a different diagnosis.
For a complete overview from The Mayo Clinic visit the link below:
Mayo Clinic Minute: What you need to know about COPD
How do you prevent COPD?
What are the treatment options for patients with severe COPD?
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Best Diet & Supplements - KenDBerryMD
