COPD or Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease as defined by GOLD[1], is a disease which is characterized by significant restriction of airflow in the lungs and is not fully reversible.
It includes emphysema, Chronic bronchitis with chronic airflow obstruction and small airway diseases with chronic obstruction. The entire spectrum of disease can have several similarities with the severity and extent of symptoms often varying. COPD causes you to gasp for air.
Adequate oxygen cannot enter, while secretions trapped inside airways cannot come, out creating a vicious cycle of disease, progressively destroying the quality of life.
Symptoms of COPD
The smokers cough is often classical. Coughing, shortness of breath, breathlessness, wheezing, noisy respiration, gasping for air with increase trouble with air pollution, difficulty carrying on with daily activities are all common. Often a chest infection can precipitate acute symptoms. That is how Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases(COPD) frequently presents in the ER. The sad part is that many do not get diagnosed until the advanced stages. With each smoke, every breath, you take, it becomes a little more painful.
What happens in COPD?
The airway mucosa is already sensitized to the allergens like cigarette smoke, dust particles and starts secreting fluids. The more they secrete mucus, the more blocked the rest of the airway becomes. The chemicals secreted then causes the small bronchiolar muscles to constrict. The entire process narrows the airway and causes the excess secretions to remain trapped inside. Your lungs, which should have air, is now filled with sticky fluid or mucus, which gets more viscous and more difficult to extrude with time. They also weigh down the alveoli and can make them collapse.
What are the Risk factors of COPD
Chronic smoking
The numbers of cigarettes per day, duration of smoking life, age of first puff are all critical. Passive and second-hand smoking exposure, even in utero reduces lung growth significantly and significant postnatal pulmonary function. Stopping smoking is a must in all cases!
Airway responsiveness
Environmental pollutants, both indoor and outdoor, have a role to play. Indoor air pollution associated with biomass used as fuel for cooking causes COPD more commonly in women in rural India, urban slums, and the Government’s Ujwala Yojna is helping fight this.
Airway hyperresponsiveness, excessive broncho constrictions, and the Dutch theory: Asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema are influenced by environment and genetics, and all have hypersensitive airways as one of the significant factors.
What are the stats to support the killing potential of COPD?
- COPD is the third most serious cause of death after heart disease and cancer.
- Women are two times more at risk of being diagnosed with chronic bronchitis.
- Women are also more likely to be diagnosed with emphysema than men. [2]
- The healthcare cost of COPD is as much as $50 billion in the US [2],[3].
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects 251 million lives globally.
- 15 million deaths annually are related to COPD.
- Greater than 90% of COPD-related deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.
- Three out of the five leading causes of deaths in India are lifestyle or noncommunicable diseases. COPD is the second biggest cause of death in that group [3]
Treatment of COPD
The main prongs of treatment are:
Smoking cessation Nonnegotiable
Oxygen therapy In chronically hypoxaemic patients influences the natural history of the disease in COPD. Nowadays, there are compact and portable oxygen machines which help in delivering oxygen and maintain a good quality of life.
Medicines and other therapy is aimed at improving the quality of life by reducing symptoms and decreasing the number and severity of acute exacerbations. They range from bronchodilators, anticholinergic agents B2 agonists, inhaled and parenteral glucocorticoids
For mild to moderate COPD to manage acute exacerbations inhaled glucocorticoids help to reduce the severity, duration, and frequency of such attacks. There are several user-friendly inhalers and nebulizers for personal use, which are discreet and portable.
Severe to very severe COPD may need the help of portable oxygen delivery devices to help you maintain your daily activity. SimplyGo and SimplyGo Mini help with precisely that.
Mechanical ventilation
Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation can save lives. Patient selection needs to be carefully done. Invasive in a hospital setting
Role of Surgery: Lung surgery in a very select group of people.
Pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD
COPD causes daily activities to become challenging. While medicines play their role, you can do a lot through lifestyle interventions to improve lung function and prevent further deterioration. This is multidimensional and needs, breathing exercises, nutrition, meditation and the right frame of mind to work. The changes are well documented and consistent over a longer duration. Pulmonary rehabilitation helps reduce respiratory distress, fatigue and improves the emotional state of patients. It also enhances the sense of control you feel over the disease condition and increases the feeling of wellbeing.
It would help if you stopped tobacco smoking now!
Healthwealthbridge.com
Lifestyle tips for those with COPD
Individual health choices and lifestyle changes are essential consistently.It would help if you stopped tobacco smoking now.No cigarette, bidi, hookah, or cigar. Tobacco smoke of any kind is not your good friend. Smoking doesn’t work with a disclaimer. Once you get hooked, the damage is done.
There is no back button once permanent damage occurs. Addictions are often genetically hardwired, and the child of a smoker is not only passively inhaling cigarette smoke but is also getting addicted at the same time. You can fight this, but you need to start now.
The government and community must come forward to stop cigarette smoking. We also need to make the world greener to decrease pollution for reducing the allergen load.
What can you do if you suspect you have COPD?
Get checked up and diagnosed on time. Your doctor will ask several questions and examine you. A chest Xray, Pulmonary function test is the first step, and often a High resolution computed tomography of the chest may be needed. CT scan is the definitive diagnostic tool for emphysema
Conclusion: What can you do today?
Reduce allergen load: Stop Smoking
Ensure healthy lifestyle and moderate exercise. Singing, Yoga swimming, all help improve pulmonary capacity and airflow. Take medicines after professional medical advice. Avoid self-medication and erratic medication schedule. Control dyspepsia and acidity, as it can be a trigger. Remember, your health is your wealth.
If you need the assistance of medical devices, don’t delay. Intervention on time is essential to prevent long term complications and quality of life issues.
Individuals need to be responsible for their health. Choosing a poison because it makes you feel good is not okay. Stricter action for selling tobacco-related products, higher taxes, punitive action for selling to underage needs to work at the ground level. The world is sharing the healthcare burden, but it’s you who is smoking who will gasp for air. To know more: 1800 258 7678 or log onto www.philips.co.in
Featured post
How is the Health of the Nation: The report is an eye-opener!
Healthwealthbridge Disclosure: This post is written in association with Philips, but the content copyright belongs to the author. All opinions expressed are verifiable and citations provided for easy reference.
Brand Disclaimer: Philips makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, with regard to the accuracy or completeness of information, content or materials or views expressed in this article. It is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice. The reader of this article is cautioned not to use or replicate any information included herein to diagnose or treat any health problem or disease without consulting a qualified health care professional. Philips shall not be liable for any damages of any kind arising from the contents of this article, including but not limited to direct, indirect, incident, punitive and consequential damages.
I am taking my blog to the next level with Blogchatter’s #MyfriendAlexa
References :
- GOLD
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/314991.php
- https://juniperpublishers.com/ijoprs/pdf/IJOPRS.MS.ID.555599.pdf
- Harrison’s textbook of Internal medicine
Sharing is good Karma!
Discover more from Healthwealthbridge
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
I remember when smoking was permitted in hospitals. It was not known then how dangerous cigarettes were for us, and it seemed everybody smoked. I wish anybody who starts smoking at a young age would realize what will eventually happen to their bodies if they continue that vile habit throughout their life.
Thank you for sharing useful information. Smoking whether active or passive is dangerous for health.
True that.Thanks for visitingng
That’s informative read, clears many doubts about COPD.
Glad you found this helpful.
This article has cleared a lot of doubts.. thanks for sharing the details
Gld you found this helpful.
Thanks for sharing. I got a cold scare last year when my pft results came back bad. But luckily I was fine.
Good that you were okay!
Glad to know that you were okay!
I had not heard about this medical issue earlier however its helpful to know how fatal it could get if not treated on time.
Yes.That’s why awareness posts help!
Whenever I go higher altitude I feel so breathlessness I can imagine the patient suffering from this problem I feel suffocated when I don’t get breathing properly so that is a really informative post
Thanks Sneha.
Thanks for sharing this informative post it’s really helpful and nice to know more about this disease.
Glad you like this.
This is such an informative post. Many are not aware how environment can also influence it.
Yes, true that.
So much relevant information you shared on COPD in this post. Some of which I was not aware of. Thank you so much
Glad you found this useful.
Thank you so much fir sharing it on so much detail doctor I found the post very informative
Thanks Roma reading.
COPD looks a serious condition which needs to be spoken more and more about especially conveyed to people who smoke.
Yes its a big danger for smokers!
I find your posts constantly helpful. An awareness on COPD is much needed.
Yes it’s important
Useful post to know about COPD in detail. Thanks for sharing the post.
Glad you found this helpful.
Your medical articles are thoroughly informative and well-presented. I will be sharing this post ahead to spread the knowledge.
Thanks, Noor.Glad you found this helpful.
Thanks for an informative post about this. I had no information about it and never realized how dangerous smoking is for smoker and his near ones
Glad you found this useful.
I get to learn so many health awareness topics here, thanks for such insightful article, i did not know about this! ☺
Glad you found this useful
I have noone who smoke but this disease is really deadly ,should be careful. It is so informative post
Glad you found this helpful Gurjeet
The post is important as people still overlook their symptoms and self medicate. Hence the post will change atleast one life for sure.
Glad you found this useful
This is really very informative.
Thank you Sandal
This is quite an informative article about COPD. In fact I didnt know that smoking and even passive smoking can bring one to this kind of disease. Thanks for creating awareness.
Glad you found this useful.
Such a detailed post and so much of useful information. Amazing work… Keep it up
Glad you found this useful.
very informative article Dr Amrita., good to know so much about a disease that serious
Glad you found this helpful.
yet another very informative post from you doctor, indeed COPD is a serious disease and you had shared all important info about it with proper detail. will help a lot to all of us in being aware.
Thanks Surbhi.
Hi! This is a very informative post. I might connect to you offline regarding the same as I suspect my father might have it. And as you mentioned that it can not be diagnosed early on – it makes it scarier. Thanks for sharing!
Sure Sushmita.I would be happy to help.
I have always found your post well informative. Smoking is not at all good. One must not get into it. Thanks for spreading this awareness
Thank you.Glad you found this useful.
This is informative article. I am asthmatic and I know the pain caused by smoke.
Glad you found this useful.
As an asthmatic, I found this article very informative. Thanks for writing, Amrita.
Glad you found this useful.
Extremely useful post! I learned so much! I will be sharing this post with my friends. Keep writing such informative posts. #MyFriendAlexa #DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter
Glad you found this useful.
I like that you have written this article in layman’s terms – i understood the disease and what i need to do to prevent it in my family, thank you so much!
Glad you found this useful.
This is GOLD! Thank you for the super exhaustive information. I’ll share this post with people I know who need it 🙂 #myepicareads #MyFriendAlexa
Glad you found this useful.
Wow… I was not aware about COPD at all, that how it is affecting the masses and everything.. thanks for such detailed information.
Glad you found this useful.
This is such a detailed and informative post COPD is so scary !!
Glad you found this useful.
This is such an insightful read. Thanks for writing in detail about COPD. I’m sure many found it useful.
Glad you found this useful.
You are of course an authority in the field, well written
Glad you found this useful.
That’s pretty heavy for me but undoubtedly informative.
Glad you found this useful.
Thank you so much for giving detailed information and knowledge about COPD , I am reading for the first time about COPD
Glad you found this useful.
Its a very informative post. I never even knew this disease. Most of time people only get to know about certain disease only if they or anyone near is suffering from it. Such kind of post help spread a message to people who are unaware of all these diseases. Thanks for sharing this post.
Glad you found this useful.
Indeed an extremely informative post. Thanks for sharing it. In fact your blog is a trove of information.
Glad you found this useful.
Nice and informative post , staying away from tobacco is so neccsary , also a healthy lifestyle would help.
Glad you found this useful.
that’s a very helpful post to spread awareness against the smoking, tobacco and it effects leading to COPD. it’s becoming a common disease of old now a days. great post.
Glad you found this useful
An excellent write up on one of the most prominent health hazards. I was a heavy smoker till 2001 and ended up with severe congestion and had to be rushed to hospital. That was how I got the determination to give up smoking.
Yes, one needs determination and good sense and a strong character to give up smoking.
This is such an informative post, I have not known even half of the information shared. Thanks
Thank you
This is a scary scene, and I think you are right, Unless we have stricter laws and rules to follow, such diseases will always have an upper hand. Very valuable piece of information.
Glad you found this useful
I have seen my friend almost choked to death. You have truly shared the hard-hitting facts and information K wanted to read.
Glad you found this useful
Nice and informative post on a serious respiratory disease. There are several unknown in this disease. Why only a few of many that smoke cigarettes, get the disease? Why once detected the disease is irreversible. Bronchodilators provide symptomatic relief. But in reality there is not cure and the disease is progressive.
All diseases have several unknowns and only a few diseases can be completely cured. Both genetics and environment are responsible for pathophysiology of the disease. If all smokers are screened (which they are not), their lung function results will surprise you. Most cases intervention happens when the addiction reaches life-threatening proportions. When it’s just a smokers cough, rarely do anyone undergo the tests needed.
That’s a very informative post. You have covered all the relevant points, must be really helpful for spreading awareness and knowledge.
Glad you found this useful
My father was a chain smoker and currently suffering from COPD. I know how dangerous this disease is
Glad you found this useful
My father was a chain smoker and currently a patient of COPD. I know how dangerous and health wrecking this disease is
Glad you found this useful
I wasn’t aware that COPD was so severe. Great informative post to know about this and keep a watch on symptoms.
Glad you found this useful
I really think govt. needs to put people’ health before money and ban tobacco products. These also cause passive smoking hazards to non-smokers. Thanks for informative post doctor.
Yes that will be a good beginning indeed.
smoking, pollution everything is such a menace. Sometimes my husband gets these bouts of cough that are really bad. He isn’t a smoker but air pollutants are the reason
Glad you found this useful.Yes, thats also another reason.
Thanks for the detailed post about COPD. It is very useful to understand the risks and its treatment.
Glad you found this useful.
Smoking is such an evil habit. Be it active or passive, it has to stop. Thisis such a valuable information and one should be aware of it no matter if he smokes or not.
Glad you found this useful.
The stats are alarming my dear. Thank you for such an informative article
Glad you found this useful.
My husband suffer a lot of breathing problem . I don’t know because of dust or bad cholesterol but from dust and strong smell even touching his nose is start sneezing and then bad cold starts
Glad you found this useful.
Nice to learn so much about COPD. Yes because of pollution and stuff now we have to be extra careful!
Glad you found this useful.
I was totally unaware of the risks involved and this article is really an eyeopener for me…Thanks for sharing
That was an informative post. wasnt aware about this earlier.
Glad you found this useful.
The symptoms of this condition are making me dizzy. Thankfully we are a smoking-free household.
Glad you found this useful.
Such an informative post. I wasn’t much aware of this illness, but this post makes me know all about it.
Glad you found this useful.
This post is such an eye-opener. I’m allergic to smoke of any kind and it makes me cough a lot. Can imagine how much damage it must be doing to smokers!
Glad you found this useful.
Thanks for sharing the detailed post it is really insightful to learn more about the disease and how little changes in lifestyle can make a difference. I personally always stop anyone who is smoking in front of me.
Glad you found this useful.
I know someone who is suffering from this disease. Thanks for sharing such an informative post.
Glad you found this useful.
Respiratory health is being neglected these days. Pollution and smoking plus passive smoking, everything is killing our health.
Glad you found this useful.
As a brand manager, I have handled a respiratory inhaler for Cipla. So, have read and seen enough to know that COPD patients have it really hard, the very act of breathing is challenging and if not treated on time can result in serious complications. Thanks for refreshing my memory with this informative post, Amrita!
Yes, they have it very tough, when every breath is painful! Glad you found this helpful.
I have been suffering from respiratory diseases for last 6 years and i know a timely solution is the need of the hour.
True. A timely solution is needed.
This was indeed a very insightful post and I got to learn a lot of new things especially the ways how you can overcome this issue with some lifestyle changes .
Thank you .Not just some lifestyle changes but also medicines are needed in many cases.
Thanks for this informative post doc. I didnt know the details and risk of this disease due to smoking. Another reason to discourage people from smoking.
That’s so true. Smoking is a big problem and we need to stop the problem before it starts.
Nice tips and an informative blog post. Will definitely share it more so all can know about it
Glad you found this useful.
Even I’m Asthamtic, it’s unbearable. Thank you for sharing informative article
Glad you found this helpful.
COPD Hmm never heard before
But this post is very informative
As you know how much i adore your writing
This is all about your writing skill that i can easily understands these typical medical analogy
Glad you found this useful