What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
By: Paul FryattTotal Views: 169, Word Count: 605,
What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been answered as a general term which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a preferred term, but you might still hear that it is called chronic obstructive airways disease (COAD). Emphysema or chronic bronchitis could cause a barrier (narrowing) of the airways. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis commonly occur together. The term COPD is used to describe obstruction of airflow due to emphysema, chronic bronchitis or both.
Causes of COPD
Cigarette Smoking and Second-Hand Smoke
In US, smoking is responsible for 90% of COPD. Though not all cigarette smokers would develop COPD, it’s predicted that 15% would. Smokers with COPD have higher rate of deaths than nonsmokers with COPD. They also have more recurrent respiratory symptoms (shortness of breath, cough, etc.) and a more quick deterioration in the function of lungs than non smokers. It’s vital to note that when a patient with COPD stops smoking, the decline in the functioning of lungs slows down to the same rate as a nonsmoker.
Effects of second hand or passive smoking on the lungs are not well known, however, facts suggest that asthma, respiratory infections and symptoms are more common in kids who live in households where adults smoke.
Air Pollution
Air pollution could cause problems for individuals with lung disease, but it is uncertain whether outdoor air pollution contributes to the growth of COPD. Nonetheless, the most common cause of COPD in the non industrialized world is indoor air pollution. This is generally due to indoor stoves used for cooking.
Occupational Pollutants
Some occupational pollutants like silica and cadmium do increase the risk of COPD. Construction workers, coal miners, cotton and metal workers etc. are the people affected by most by these occupational pollutants (most of the risk is related with cigarette smoking and these occupations, an issue not well controlled for). Nonetheless, the bad effects of smoking cigarettes on lung function are far greater than occupational exposure.
What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and its Symptoms?
- The first symptom to develop is usually cough and it is prolific with sputum. It slowly becomes more constant (chronic) by coming and going at first. In the initial stages of the disease, you might think of your cough as a smoker’s cough. People often become concerned only when breathlessness begins.
- The injured airways make a lot more mucus than normal which forms sputum. As a result, you tend to cough up a lot of sputum each day.
- Wheeze and shortness of breath might occur only when you exert yourself at first, for e.g. when you climb the stairs. These symptoms slowly worsen over the years if you continue to smoke. Difficulty in breathing might ultimately become quite worrying.
Treatments for COPD
Stopping smoking is the most vital treatment and no other treatment might be needed if the disease is in its early stage and the symptoms are gentle. If the symptoms become upsetting, then some treatments might be necessary such as using medicated inhalers.
People often wonder as to what is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and panic. If you take proper care of your health and follow necessary precautions, you could avoid this fatal disease.
About the Author
Paul Fryatt, M.D. has been in this profession from last 24 years. He made great achievements in his profession. He made an initiative to open a Family Allergy Clinic in 1985 to help his patients who were not reacting to traditional allergy treatment programs. Moreover he has explored the treatment to overcome allergy symptoms to reclaim quality of life through his convenient, no-shots therapy.
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