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What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is abbreviated as COPD and is a term which is used for describing progressive lung diseases such as emphysema, and refractory (non-reversible) asthma, chronic bronchitis. This disease is usually categorized by increasing breathlessness. COPD is currently incurable yet progressive disease, however with the help of right diagnosis as well as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease treatment, there are most of the things that you can do for managing your COPD and thereby breathe better. It is said that people who suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD, live for many years and also enjoy life.

Causes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Typically, one of the major causes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD is cigarette smoking. Studies show that people suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD are moreover 40 years old and therefore have at least some history of smoking. You are at a greater risk of getting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD, the longer you smoke and use more tobacco products. Besides, cigarette smoking, there are other Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease causes such as secondhand smoke, cigar smoke and pipe smoke. You are more at a risk of getting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD if inspite of having asthma also, you smoke.

Exposure to chemicals as well as fumes in the workplace, will also lead to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD. Other reasons of COPD are inhaling dust as well as long-term exposure to air pollution.

Poor ventilation and forcing families for breathing fumes from the burning fuel which is used for cooking and heating, may also cause Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD.

Types of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

There are two most common types of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD. They are mentioned below:

1.Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a condition where the bronchi gets inflamed for a long-term inside the lungs that causes increased production of mucus and other changes. As a result, the person starts facing breathing issues, cough, disability as well as frequent infections.
2.Pulmonary emphysema
Emphysema is a lung condition which is chronic in nature. Here, alveoli gets narrowed, collapsed, destroyed, stretched as well as Over-inflated. As a result, a person may face reduced respiratory function as well as breathlessness.

Treatment

What should you do in case your Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease worsens?

It is advisable to visit a doctor in case your symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease worsens. Your doctor will then review your signs and symptoms to diagnose your condition. You may be asked to do tests such as Lung pulmonary function tests, CT Scan, Chest x-ray, laboratory tests, arterial blood gas analysis, etc. Accordingly, your doctor will recommend you medications and further course of treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD.

What are the available Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease treatment options?

Mentioned below are some of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease treatment options:

  • Medication

Bronchodilators are the medications which will help in relaxing the widening the airways, muscles of the airways for you to breathe easier. These are usually taken with the help of an inhaler or a nebulizer. To reduce inflammation in the airways, medicine called as Glucocorticosteroids can be added.

It is recommended to ask your doctor about annual flu shot, pneumococcal vaccine, as well as a tetanus booster which will offer protection from whooping cough.

  • Oxygen therapy

In case your blood oxygen level is too low, supplemental oxygen can be received with the help of a mask or via nasal cannula in order to help you breathe better. The best way is using a portable unit.

  • Surgery

In case of severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD, surgery would be suggested. It is also done when other types of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease treatment options have failed.

  • Lifestyle changes

It is important that you make some lifestyle changes which can help in alleviating your symptoms or provide relief.

  • Quit smoking.
  • Avoid secondhand smoke and exposure to chemical fumes.
  • Eat healthy and nutritious food.
  • Check with your doctor about what types of exercises are safe for you.
  • Vaccines

Your doctor may ask you to take a pneumococcal vaccine, or the whooping cough vaccine.

Are there any natural or homemade remedies for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Mentioned below are some of the natural or homemade remedies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:

  • Avoiding smoking

Cigarette smoking is injurious to your health since it exposes your lungs to an irritant which results in physical damage. If you quit smoking completely, you will definitely see your Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD getting cured. Be away from chemical fumes and polluted air or dust.

  • Staying active

You should try to remain active and increase your fitness levels which will help in overcoming Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD symptoms of shortness of breath. But, remember that a person suffering from COPD may find it difficult to walk, jog as well as do cycling. You may try aqua walking or aqua exercises too to stay active while having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD. Tai-chi and yoga too helps to a greater extent as a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD treatment.

  • Maintain a healthy weight

It is important that you maintain a proper body weight in case you have COPD. This is because being overweight or obese, will only increase or aggravate your medical conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, shortness of breath, etc. You should see a doctor or a nutritionist in case you are overweight as well as are suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD. You can cut down on junk foods, sweetened drinks, alcohol, increase intake of vegetables, fresh fruits, less fatty meals, etc.

  • Take measures if you’re underweight

People who are underweight will have a higher risk of death from COPD as compared to those who are fit or overweight. This might be due to worsening of lung diseases, less muscle strength, poor immune system function and more frequent flare-ups.

You should take help of a dietician or a doctor for supplemental shakes to reduce those extra calories. You should also practice eating more often throughout the day, have food that is dense in calories like ice cream, peanut butter, whole milk, etc.

  • Manage stress

It is very common as well as dangerous that people having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD suffer from anxiety, stress, panic attacks, etc. Therefore, you can practice ways to reduce the same at home such as practice yoga, meditation, massage, etc. You may also talk to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or some another certified counselor who may help you in identifying stressors and help you in coping up with the same.

  • Breathing exercises

You can try pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing techniques that will help you in getting the air without even struggling to breathe.

  • Supplements

People suffering from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD usually have low levels of Vitamin D. Therefore, you can take medications to decrease flare-ups of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD under medical supervision. These medicines include, Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidant vitamins, Essential amino acids, etc. for

  • Herbal remedies and essential oils

It is said that people who suffer from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD will find relief from Herbal remedies. A herb named ginseng had the ability for improving the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD symptoms.

When to see a doctor?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD symptoms usually do not appear until any significant lung damage has happened. This however, typically worsen over time especially if smoking exposure continues. A daily cough is usually a symptom of chronic bronchitis. Mentioned below are some of the signs and symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD:

  • Wheezing
  • Chest tightness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Frequent respiratory infections
  • Blueness of the lips
  • Lack of energy
  • Swelling in ankles, legs or feet
  • Need to clear your throat in the morning once you wake up for any excess mucus in your lungs
  • A chronic cough producing mucus (sputum) which can be either white, yellow or greenish in colour
  • Unintended weight loss

This is when you should visit a doctor. Some of them with COPD may also face episodes of exacerbations when their symptoms of COPD become worse than day-to-day variation as well as persists for several days.

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