Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) impacting your ability to breathe
The days are gone when people used to develop the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) only by smoking. Considering withering air quality, you might develop this disease even if you’re a non-smoker. The presence of different Nano-particles like PM. 2.5 and PM. 10 pester the functions of your lungs.
These Nano-particles can lead to various life threatening respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, interstitial lung disease, pneumonia, and tuberculosis, etc.
The third Wednesday of every November is observed as World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Day, all across the globe. This day is organized to create and contribute to the awareness regarding the disease and other comorbidities associated with COPD.
COPD is a progressive lung disease that becomes worse over some time. This disease can also cause different pulmonary diseases such as chronic bronchitis, refractory asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchiectasis.
Chronic bronchitis could lead to extended cough with mucus and Emphysema can cause major damage to the lungs over some time
People who are suffering from COPD are diagnosed with a combination of emphysema and bronchitis.
MAJOR CAUSE FOR THIS DISEASE:
● Regular smokers or people who were are more likely to get infected.
● Consuming a large amount of shared smoke
● Exposure to dangerous fumes, harsh chemicals daily.
● Genetic transmission of the disease can also be one of the reasons.
● Recurrent coughing with colored mucus
● Turning the color of nails and lips into blue due to the lack of oxygen reaching your lungs
● Heavy and fast heartbeat rate
● Inflammation in the respiratory system
● Facing trouble in catching breathe back
● Wheezing or heavy breathing with a weird sound
People usually ignore recurrent coughing and heaviness in breathing considering them as signs of aging however, therefore it is difficult to diagnose COPD in the early stages. It is a progressive disease that means the symptoms are more visible when the disease at the later stages of COPD. If you are facing any of these symptoms, you must consult a doctor before the disease symptoms get worse.
● Spirometry- It is a lung test that could be performed to diagnose the disease. This test helps in measuring the intensity and capacity of air that a person can exhale.
● Imaging test- In this process the X-rays and CT scans are done for the diagnosis. It can support the patient to detect COPD. X-rays cannot detect COPD always however, the CT scans could help show clear signs of COPD.
TREATMENT METHODS FOR PREVENTION OF COPD
Prevention is better than cure, same is the case of COPD because there is no permanent cure for the disease, and however, it can be prevented. Mentioned below are some ways-
● People who smoke daily should reduce the number of times they smoke, smoking can worsen the symptoms of COPD.
● Medication- Inhalers and anti-inflammatory medicines are provided to the patient. These medicines reduce swollen airways, legs, and ankles.
● Oxygen therapy- It is used for supplying an adequate amount of oxygen to the lungs.
These were the points about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD.