Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - COPD! Shown vary prominent pulmonary disease: Stretch alveoli or chronic bronchitis ... Risk factors: Exposure to tobacco smoke, occupational dust exposure, Gerd, at least 40 years of age, genetics .. .
Definition

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases block airflow and make it increasingly difficult to breathe.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main conditions create COPD, but COPD can also be caused by the damage caused by chronic bronchitis in asthma. In all cases, damage to the respiratory tract ultimately hinder the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs.

COPD is a leading cause of death worldwide disease. Most COPD is caused by long-term smoking and can be prevented by not smoking or quitting soon after you start. Damage to your lungs can not be reversed, so treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and minimizing further damage.

Symptoms

In general, the symptoms of COPD not appear until lung damage has occurred and it is usually worse with time. People with COPD also have the ability to experience called exacerbations, in which their symptoms suddenly get much worse. In addition, signs and symptoms of COPD can vary, depending on the most prominent lung disease. It can also have many of these symptoms at once.

Stretch alveoli

Signs and symptoms of emphysema include:

Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity.

Wheezing.

Chest.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis occurs mainly in smokers. Defined as a cough that has at least three months a year for two consecutive years. Those who continue to smoke may continue to develop emphysema, but in smokers can quit, they may clear in a few days or weeks.

Signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:

There phlegm throat in the morning, especially if you smoke.

Chronic cough that produces yellow sputum.

Shortness of breath in the later stages.

Frequent respiratory infections.

Chronic bronchial asthma

Bronchial asthma Chronic bronchitis is often associated with chronic asthma (bronchospasm). Asthma can occur when infection stimulates secretions in the airway smooth muscle. Symptoms similar to chronic bronchitis, but can also be interrupted or even daily wheezing.

Cause

How the lungs work

The air goes down the windpipe and into the lungs through two large tubes (bronchi). Inside the lungs, the tube split times as many branches of the tree into many smaller tubes (bronchioles) that end in clusters of tiny air sacs (alveoli). The airbags have very thin walls full of small blood vessels (capillaries). Oxygen in the inhaled air enters the bloodstream and enters the bloodstream. At the same time, carbon dioxide - a waste product of metabolism, is removed then exhale.

Breathing of the lungs based on the natural elasticity of the bronchial tubes and air sacs. When damaged, it lost its elasticity and the boss part exhalation, trapping air beyond the boss area.

Causes of airway obstruction

COPD mainly refers to the congestion in the lungs from two chronic lung conditions. Many people with COPD have both.

The disease alveolar stretch. This causes pneumonia, which can destroy the walls and some elastic fibers, allow small airways to your boss as you breathe out, weakened the airflow out of the lungs.

Chronic bronchitis. This condition, which is characterized by coughing repeatedly, causing inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes. Chronic bronchitis also increases the production of mucus, which can further narrow the bronchial tubes blocked.

Bronchial asthma refers to chronic bronchitis accompanied by contractions of muscle fibers in the lining of the airways (bronchospasm). Chronic asthma is sometimes classified as COPD.

Tobacco smoke and other irritants. In most cases, the resulting lung damage caused by COPD is a long-term smokers. However, other irritants can cause COPD including smoke cigars, smoke, pipe smoke, air pollution and smoke certain professions. Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD), which occurs when stomach acids back up into the esophagus may be more severe COPD and may even cause it in some people.

In rare cases, COPD is the result of a genetic disorder that causes low levels of a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin.

Risk Factors

Risk factors for COPD include:

Exposure to tobacco smoke. The risk factors most important for COPD is smoking long term. Years of smoking and smoking more packs the bigger the risk. COPD symptoms usually appear about 10 years after starting smoking. Pipe smoking, cigar smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke large quantities are also at risk.

Occupational exposure to dust and chemicals. Long-term exposure to chemical fumes, vapor and dust can cause lung irritation and inflammation.

Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). This situation is a serious form of acid reflux. GERD can cause more severe COPD and may even cause it in some people.

Age. COPD develops slowly over, so most people at least 40 years of age when symptoms start.

Genetics. A rare genetic disorder called alpha - 1 - antitrypsin is the source of some cases of COPD. The researchers suspect that other genetic factors may make some people susceptible to tobacco smoking.

Complications

The complications of COPD, including:

Respiratory tract infections. When you have COPD, likely to have frequent colds, flu or pneumonia. Plus, any respiratory infection may make it more difficult to breathe and the more irreversible damage to lung tissue. Talk to your doctor about yearly flu shots and pneumococcal vaccines regularly.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension. COPD can cause high blood pressure in the arteries that bring blood to the lungs (pulmonary hypertension).

Heart problems. For reasons not entirely understood, COPD increases the risk of heart disease, including heart attack.

Lung cancer. Smokers with chronic bronchitis are at high risk of developing lung cancer than smokers who do not have chronic bronchitis.

Depression. Shortness of breath may limit the activities they love. And it can be very difficult to deal with an incurable disease and. Talk to your doctor if you feel sad or helpless or think may experience depression.

Tests and diagnosis

If there are symptoms of COPD and a history of exposure to other lung irritants, especially cigarette smoke, your doctor may recommend these tests:

Pulmonary function tests (spirometry - Spirometry). Spirometry is a pulmonary function test most popular. In this test, will be required to blow into a large tube connected to the spirometer. Spirometry can detect COPD, even before symptoms of the disease. It can also be used to monitor disease progression and treatment monitoring how.

X - ray. X - ray may show emphysema - one of the main causes of the COP. X - ray may also exclude other lung problems or heart failure.

Arterial blood gases. This blood test for lung said oxygenating the blood and remove carbon dioxide like.

Check the sputum. Analysis of cells in sputum can help determine the cause of lung problems and help eliminate some lung cancer.

Computerized tomography (CT scan). CT scanning is a technique X - ray that produces more detailed images of the internal organs than produced by X - ray conventions. CT scan of the lungs that can help detect emphysema and help determine could benefit from surgery when COPD.

Treatments and drugs

There is no cure for COPD, and irreversible damage to the lungs. But COPD treatments can control symptoms, reduce the risk of complications and exacerbations, and improve the ability to lead active lives.

Stop smoking

The most important step in any treatment plan for smokers with COPD is to stop smoking all. That is the only way to keep COPD from getting worse - which ultimately can lead to loss of the ability to breathe. However, quitting smoking is never easy. And this task may seem difficult especially if you've tried to quit before. Talk to your doctor about products that can help replace nicotine and drugs, as well as how to handle relapse.

Medications

Doctors use a few basic groups of medications to treat the symptoms and complications of COPD.

Bronchodilator. The drugs in an inhaler that often - relaxing muscles around the airways. This can help reduce coughing and shortness of breath and make breathing easier. Depending on the severity of the disease, the drug may need short-acting bronchodilator before the operation, a bronchodilator that long-term effects of daily use, or both.

Inhaled steroids. Inhalant corticosteroids can reduce airway inflammation and help breathe better. But prolonged use of these drugs can weaken bones and increase the risk of high blood pressure, cataracts and diabetes. It is usually reserved for those with moderate or severe COPD.

Antibiotics. Respiratory tract infections, such as acute bronchitis, pneumonia and influenza can aggravate the symptoms of COPD. Antibiotics can help fight bacterial infections, but only recommended when necessary.

Surgery

Surgery is an option for some people with some form of severe emphysema who do not respond to medication:

Reduced lung volume. In this surgery, the surgeon removes a small part of the lung tissue is damaged. This creates more space in the chest cavity for the remaining lung tissue and diaphragm work done more efficiently. This surgery has some risks and possible long-term results are not better than the non-surgical approach.

Lung transplantation. Lung transplantation may be an option for certain people with severe emphysema who meet specific criteria. Implants can improve your ability to breathe, but it does not appear to prolong life and may have to wait a long time to receive a donated organ. So, the decision is complex lung transplant.

The therapy

Doctors often use complementary therapies for moderate or severe COPD:

Oxygen therapy. If there is not enough oxygen in your blood may need supplemental oxygen. There are many devices to deliver oxygen to the lungs, including light weight, portable unit that can take with you to run errands. Some people with COPD use oxygen only during operation or while sleeping. Other people use oxygen all the time. Oxygen therapy may improve heart function, exercise capacity, depression, mental clarity and quality of life. In some people, it can also prolong life. Talk to your doctor about your needs and choices.

Program pulmonary rehabilitation. Comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation can reduce the length of any required hospitalization, increased ability to participate in daily activities and quality of life improved. These programs typically combine education, exercise, nutrition advice. If there is a program that can be worked with a variety of health care professionals, including physical therapists, respiratory therapists, fitness experts and nutrition experts. Experts can change rehabilitation programs to meet needs.

Managing exacerbations

Even with continuous treatment, symptoms may encounter when suddenly worse. This is called acute severe, and it may cause lung damage if not treated promptly received. Exacerbations can be caused by respiratory infections or changes in temperature or air pollution. Whatever the cause, it is important to seek medical help quickly if you pay attention more when cough, a change in mucus or if you have a breathing more difficult.

When exacerbations occur, which may require additional medications, oxygen supplementation or treatment in hospital. Once symptoms improve, will take measures to prevent future exacerbations. This can include quitting smoking, avoiding pollutants in indoor and outdoor exercise as much as possible, and treat GERD.

Lifestyle and home remedies

If you have COPD, can take steps to feel better and slow the damage to lungs:

Breath control. Talk to your doctor or respiratory therapist about breathing techniques more effectively in the day. Also be sure to discuss the position and breathing relaxation techniques that can be used when you are short of breath.

Respiratory clear. In COPD, mucus tends to collect in the aeration period and can be difficult to clear. Control cough, drink plenty of water and use a humidifier can help.

Exercise regularly. It may seem hard to do when there is difficulty in breathing, but regular exercise can improve overall strength and endurance and strengthen the respiratory muscles.

Eating healthy foods. A healthy diet can help maintain strength. If you're underweight, your doctor may recommend nutritional supplements. If you are overweight, losing weight can significantly assist breathing, particularly during exertion. .

Avoid smoking. In addition to quitting smoking, it is important to avoid places where others smoke. Cigarette smoke may contribute to lung damage more.

Pay attention to the frequent heartburn. Frequent heartburn may indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition in which stomach acid or, occasionally bile flows back into the esophagus. This can often aggravate COPD patients, but the treatment of GERD can help. Talk to your doctor if you have frequent heartburn.

See your doctor regularly. Appointment scheduling, even when you're feeling good. It is important to regularly monitor lung function.

Coping and support

Living with COPD can be difficult, especially when it becomes more and more difficult to catch his breath. It is possible to abandon the previously enjoyed activities. Family and loved ones may encounter significant changes and challenges in an effort to help. May also find themselves facing some tough questions, such as how long to live and what to do if you can no longer take care of themselves.

It may help to share fears and feelings with family, relatives and doctors. May also want to consider joining a support group for people with COPD. And can benefit from counseling if you feel depressed or overwhelmed.

Prevention

Unlike some diseases, COPD have a clear cause and a clear path to prevention. Most cases are directly related to smoking and the best way to prevent COPD is to never smoking - or quitting smoking.

If you are a longtime smokers, these statements can not simply seems so simple, especially if you have tried to quit once, twice or many times before. But it is important to find a smoking cessation program can help break the habit. It is the best opportunity to prevent damage to the lungs.

Occupational exposure to chemical fumes and dust is a risk factor for COPD. If working with all kinds of lung irritants, talk to the supervisor about the best way to protect yourself, such as wearing a mask.