What is COPD?

COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder. It is a chronic inflammatory disease. It obstructs the flow of air that is emanating from the lungs. The patient suffers breathlessness.

There are Two Major Types of COPD, and these are Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema

  • Chronic bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial tubes that carry air to the lungs, It is a chronic disease (it persists for more than 3 months) that worsens with time. They are mostly stimulated by irritants, primarily air pollutants. It also could be caused by genetics. Constant irritation of the bronchial tubes will lead inflammation, and if this persists for a long time, the patient will start producing excessive mucus. This makes it difficult for the patient to breathe.
  • Emphysema: This is also a chronic progressive disease. The primary symptom of this disease is breathlessness, which is common to COPD. It’s a condition in which some alveoli sacs of the lungs are destroyed. This makes it exhalation difficult as the air would be trapped in the lungs. In this pulmonary disease, the patient’s lung gradually loses its elasticity The most common cause of emphysema is smoking. It is rare among non-smokers. There is also the genetic cause of emphysema. These patients have the deficiency of the enzyme called alpha-1 antitrypsin. This enzyme prevents trypsin from attacking the lungs. Trypsin is an enzyme that is produced by the immune cells of the lungs. In their bid to kill bacteria, they also attack the lungs. In the absence of alpha-1 antitrypsin, the activities of trypsin cannot be regulated or controlled, hence damaging the alveoli walls.

What Causes COPD?

As earlier said, smoking is the most common cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It can also be caused by genetics when the patient lacks the enzyme alpha-1 antitrypsin,

  1. Smoking– This is the most critical risk factor for COPD. However, it occurs most times in patients, which have been smoking for a long time. The more an individual smokes, the more the chances of having COPD. Second-hand smokers can also have COPD if they regularly expose themselves to smoke. Also, pregnant women that smoke increases the risk of their children having the disease. It has been observed that women are more susceptible to the deleterious effects of smoking than men.
  2. Genetics: This is predominant among members of a family that smokes. People inherit alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This enzyme prevents trypsin from attacking the lungs. Trypsin is an enzyme that is produced by the immune cells of the lungs. In their bid to kill bacteria, they also attack the lungs. In the absence of alpha-1 antitrypsin, the activities of trypsin cannot be regulated or controlled, hence damaging the alveoli walls. The risk is dangerously high in patients who are deficient and still smoke.
  3. Pollution: Air pollution is one of the most common causes of COPD. This is evident in places that have Lots of fuel are burnt here, polluting the air. When the air in this areas are inhaled for a long time, it irritates the respiratory pathway, causing inflammation, and consequently leading to COPD.
  4. Job hazards: There are some jobs that expose their workers to dangerous chemicals and smokes. Industries that deals with the processing of paints, coal and gold mining, quarrying have all been implicated

COPD Exasperation Causes and Symptoms

smoking COPD

Below are the causes of COPD:

  1. Smoking- This is the most critical risk factor for COPD. However, it occurs most times in patients, which have been smoking for a long time. The more an individual smokes, the more the chances of having COPD. Second-hand smokers can also have COPD if they regularly expose themselves to smoke. Also, pregnant women that smoke is increasing the risk of their children having the disease. It has been observed that women are more susceptible to the deleterious effects of smoking than men.
  2. Genetics: This is predominant among members of a family that smokes. People inherit alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This enzyme prevents trypsin from attacking the lungs. Trypsin is an enzyme that is produced by the immune cells of the lungs. In their bid to kill bacteria, they also attack the lungs. In the absence of alpha-1 antitrypsin, the activities of trypsin cannot be regulated or controlled, hence damaging the alveoli walls. The risk is dangerously high in patients who are deficient and still smokes.
  3. Pollution: Air pollution is one of the most common causes of COPD. This is evident in places that have refineries. Lots of fuel are burnt here, polluting the air. When the air in this areas are inhaled for a long time, it irritates the respiratory pathway, causing inflammation, and consequently leading to COPD. Incessant exposure to polluted air exacerbates COPD
  4. Occupational hazards: There are some jobs that expose their workers to dangerous chemicals and smokes. Industries that deals with the processing of paints, coal and gold mining, quarrying have all been implicated

Symptoms of COPD

Most common symptom is breathlessness. The symptoms do not show until the lungs have been significantly destroyed. The symptoms, however, worsen progressively unless the irritant is removed. The most common symptom of COPD is breathlessness. Other symptoms include mucus production.

  1. Coughing: This occurs more in chronic bronchitis. Coughing sometimes goes on for like 3 months out of the twelve months in one year. A cough can be productive, and there are also have been cases where a cough is not productive. When a cough is productive, the color of the sputum may vary from yellow, white, green and even normal.
  2. Shortness of breath: This is the most common symptom of COPD. This symptom is also progressive over time. In severe cases, patients would have to make their lips like a purse, then breathe through them.
  3. Tightening of the chest
  4. Patients might lose some weight
  5. Fatigue
  6. Regular infection of the respiratory system
  7. Wheezing

What are the Best Medications for Treating Lung Infections in COPD Patients?

Most effective are long-term antibiotics.The doctor may prescribe some drugs when he notices the signs of infection in a patient. The signs of disease include the following:

  • Productive sputum that is colored; green, yellow
  • When the temperature is above or below the normal range (36.5-7.5) (fever)
  • Tachycardia
  • Tightening of the chest
  • Chest discomfort
  • Fatigue and disorientation

The most effective medications for treating lung infections are long-term antibiotics. Macrolides are the first line drugs for patients that have two or more crises in a year. An example of a macrolide is erythromycin and azithromycin.  Also, mucolytics are essential to the patients suffering from chronic bronchitis, as they break down the mucus, and prevent the blockage of the bronchial tubes.

What are the Stages of COPD?

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder has stages. The purpose of staging COPD is to show the severity or mildness of the disease. As said earlier, COPD is a compound name of many illnesses, all of which gives the patient breathlessness and difficulty in breathing. The 2 most common COPDs are Chronic bronchitis and emphysema. There are four stages of COPD, and they are graded according to GOLD (Global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease).

COPD Stages

  • GOLD 1: MILD
  • GOLD 2: MODERATE
  • GOLD 3: SEVERE
  • GOLD 4: VERY SEVERE

 GOLD 1, Mild COPD: In stage 1, which is the mild stage, the symptoms are usually very subtle, and most times, there are no symptoms at all. The symptoms that might be presented may be a cough; it can be with or without sputum production. People do not visit the hospital at this stage, primarily because they are not in any severe form of pain or discomfort.

GOLD 2, Moderate COPD: In stage 2, the symptoms become more evident than in stage 1. This stage is always accompanied with a persistent cough, and the amount of sputum produced is more than that produced in the mild stage. Sputum may be colored. The patient starts having breathlessness, although moderate, it causes discomfort to the patient. This is the stage where most people seek for medical assistance in the hospital.

GOLD 3, Severe COPD: In stage 3, the symptoms become apparent, the obstruction of the respiratory tubes is more apparent. The rate and severity of coughing are more evident. The physical activities the patient does before COPD without stress becomes difficult for the patient. The patient will become tired more easily.

GOLD 4, Very severe COPD: In stage 4, the symptoms are life-threatening and may lead to death if not well managed. The chances that the respiratory system would fail is very high. Also, there might be heart failure.

What is the Prognosis of a COPD Diagnosis?

Presently has no treatment. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder presently has no treatment. The outcome, however, varies from one person to the other. The best way to go about this if you know you are predisposed or have high-risk factors is to go for early diagnosis so that doctors can follow up and manage the symptoms well. When a patient realizes that he might have mild COPD, the best thing to do is to eliminate whatever might be irritating the respiratory airway. For smokers, quitting smoking would be the next step in the right direction. For those working in places that expose them to dust, chemicals, and fumes, they should quit the environment, or abandon the job as the case may be.

COPD signs and symptoms

COPD Signs and Symptoms

The symptoms do not show until the lungs have been significantly destroyed. The symptoms, however, worsen progressively unless the irritant is removed. The most common symptom of COPD is breathlessness. Other symptoms include mucus production. Other signs and symptoms include;

  1. Coughing: This occurs more in chronic bronchitis. Coughing sometimes goes on for like 3 months out of the twelve months in one year. A cough can be productive, and there are also have been cases where a cough is not productive. When a cough is fertile, the color of the sputum might vary from yellow, white, green and even normal.
  2. Shortness of breath: This is the most common symptom of COPD. This symptom is also progressive over time. In severe cases, patients would have to make their lips like a purse, then breathe through them.
  3. Tightening of the chest
  4. Patients might lose some weight
  5. Fatigue
  6. Regular infection of the respiratory system
  7. Wheezing

 

Are Steroid Inhalers Safe for Long-term Treatment?

Steroid inhalers are a proper medication.Steroid inhalers are a proper medication for decreasing the inflammation of the respiratory tubes, and it also prevents exacerbations. Although, inhaled steroids have some side effects, primarily when used for a long time. Some of the side effects include infection of the oral cavity, hoarseness of the voice, and bruising. Inhaled steroids are only needed by patients with regular exacerbation, Examples of steroid inhalers are

  • Fluticasone
  • Budesonide
  • Beclometasone

Breathing Exercises for COPD Patients

 Patients that have COPD have problems breathing. COPD is associated with breathlessness, shortness of breath, mucus production and even chest tightening. All these symptoms make it very difficult to breathe. However, there is some breathing exercise that can help in managing and controlling your breath. Examples of these exercises are

  1. Pursed lip breathing: This exercise has been proven to be very beneficial to COPD patients.
  • It relaxes the body
  • It reduces the shortness of breath
  • It makes breathing less difficult
  • It frees the air that is trapped in the lungs.

2.  Regulated breathing: This is done by breathing in through your nose before commencing on an exercise. While pursing the lips,                   endeavor to exhale through the mouth in the most stressful part of the exercise

3. Breathing deeply: This prevents air from getting trapped in the lungs and reduces the shortness of breath. This can be done by                    breathing in through the nose, then hold the breath for about 5 seconds. Try to release the air slowly, through the nose until all the                air has been released.

COPD Exasperation Treatment Stages Symptoms and Life Expectancy

The key to living with COPD is early detection, if you notice any unusual symptoms or signs in your body, contact the nearest doctor to you. Don’t joke with your life; your body deserves to be treated better.

References

COPD NEWS. (2008). Respiratory Medicine: COPD Update, 4(1), pp.39-41.

Halpin, D. (2006). Diagnosing COPD. International Journal of COPD, 1(4), pp.343-344.

Mallia, P. and Johnston, S. (2007). Influenza infection and COPD. International Journal of COPD, 2(1), pp.55-64.

Most COPD hospital admissions are of patients not previously admitted for COPD. (2009). Respiratory Medicine: COPD Update, 5(2), p.47.

Petty, T. (2006). The history of COPD. International Journal of COPD, 1(1), pp.3-14.

Singh, D. and Russell, R. (2007). Influenza infection in COPD. International Journal of COPD, 2(1), pp.1-1.

Wilson, I. (2006). Depression in the patient with COPD. International Journal of COPD, 1(1), pp.61-64.

Biotechnology


By Biotechnology on Incline