What is COPD?
14 million Americans suffer with either chronic bronchitis or emphysema commonly called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD.
Chronic Bronchitis develops when the lining of your bronchial tubes get inflamed and produce increased mucous, which makes it difficult to breathe.
Emphysema develops when the alveoli in your lungs become scarred and stiff. When this happens, your lungs can’t hold enough air and impairs your ability to get rid of carbon dioxide.
What are the signs and risk factors for developing COPD?
The most common symptoms of COPD are chronic coughing, shortness of breath and some people may also experience wheezing. It usually takes many years and even decades for COPD to develop. Smoking tobacco products causes the vast majority of cases. Other factors that increase your risk of developing COPD include:
- Age
- Heredity
- Exposure to air pollution
- A history of childhood respiratory infections
How is COPD determined?
Your doctor might order tests to help determine how well your lungs are working.
Pulmonary function tests, or PFT’s, are diagnostic tests that assess the severity of COPD. A PFT test measures how deeply you breathe and how fast you can move air in and out of your lungs. Chest X-rays can also reveal signs of COPD.
Although COPD cannot be cured, it can be managed. Treatments focus on:
- Slowing the progression of the disease and reducing symptoms
- Increasing activity level and improving your overall health
If you are concerned about your risk of having COPD, please talk with your doctor. |
