What is COPD?

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which refers to a group of inflammatory lung diseases that block airflow from the lungs. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common COPD conditions.

Emphysema 

This disease causes gradual damage to air sacs in the lungs, making it progressively difficult to breathe. Patients usually struggle with daily coughing and phlegm, chronic bronchitis, and shortness of breath when they’re active. This disease is often a result of smoking cigarettes.

Chronic bronchitis

This is an ongoing inflammation of the tubes that carry air to your lungs. It causes a cough that brings up mucus, along with shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing.

What causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

All forms of COPD have one major cause: smoking cigarettes. The majority of COPD cases are caused by cigarettes. Smoking cigarettes releases more than 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic and weaken your lungs. The toxins also make the lungs susceptible to infections, cause swelling that narrows air passages, and destroy air sacs that hold oxygen.

Even if you don’t smoke cigarettes, you’re at risk for COPD from years of breathing secondhand smoke, air pollution, and dust. You may also be at a higher risk if you work in an environment where you breathe toxic chemicals.

How is COPD treated?

The first thing to know about COPD is this: Consult with the Carmichael Medical Clinic team as soon as you experience wheezing, excess phlegm, a cough that doesn’t go away, or shortness of breath during normal daily activities. None of these symptoms are a normal part of aging, so don’t be tempted to ignore them. Getting early treatment for COPD is vital for keeping it under control.

The Carmichael Medical Clinic team always considers the whole person, but that approach is essential for COPD treatment. The first step is smoking cessation, and your provider can help with that. They can perform office testing to evaluate your lungs to determine what type of breathing issue you may have.

They’ll also consider medications, such as inhalers, that relieve and prevent symptoms. They may recommend a pulmonary rehabilitation program, which includes education, exercise training, and nutrition advice.

Depending on the severity of your COPD, oxygen therapy may also be part of your treatment plan.

To learn more about COPD treatment, call Carmichael Medical Clinic or request an appointment online today.