Genes do play a role when it comes to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but nearly 85 percent of all cases in the US are caused by smoking.
COPD is a condition that restricts the airflow in your lungs and reduces your ability to breathe. COPD usually worsens as a person ages.
The term COPD typically refers to two major illnesses:
Chronic Bronchitis- A condition in which the airways become inflamed and/or infected. The result is a mucus-producing cough, occurring most days, and lasting for a period of three or more months at a time. Chronic bronchitis is different from the acute bronchitis that many people get and that usually lasts for just a few weeks.
Emphysema - A condition in which the alveoli (air sacs) of the lungs are abnormal in structure, have been damaged (usually by smoking) and/or are permanently enlarged.
Symptoms
People with COPD may cough, wheeze and have difficulty breathing. They commonly experience a persistent shortness of breath (symptoms stay with them virtually all the time; they rarely have any relief). With asthma, the shortness of breath occurs in episodes, and not on a constant basis; therefore the patient with asthma will experience periods without any symptoms. COPD is not reversible nor curable.
Incidence
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that COPD deaths rank 4th and 5th along with HIV and AIDS. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the US. By 2020 it is projected to be the third leading cause of death in both men and women.
Causes
As mentioned above, smoking is the most common cause of all cases of COPD. So if you or a loved one smoke, it is important that you quit before it's too late.
Exposure to air pollution, as well as some occupational fumes, toxins and dust can also cause COPD. Higher rates of COPD are found among coal miners, grain handlers, paint and chemical sprayers, sanders, metal molders, and other workers exposed to dust and fine airborne particles. But by far, cigarette smoking is the worst offender.
A third, but less common cause of COPD is the lack of a protein in the body called alpha1-antitrypsin. Alpha1-antitrypsin is produced in the liver and is normally found in the lungs. Only 3 to 5% of all cases of COPD are caused by this deficiency.
To determine if you suffer from COPD, your doctor will perform a number of tests. These may include a chest X ray, measurements of lung function and lung volume (spirometry), and blood tests. (Unlike COPD, asthma cannot be diagnosed with a chest X ray. It can, however, be detected with spirometry.)
Bronchodilators (inhaled and pill form) which cause the airways to relax and open, are generally used for treating COPD. Anti-inflammatory medicines, inhaled or oral, which reduce the swelling in the airways and which are valuable in the treatment of asthma, are usually less helpful for the person with COPD. Some COPD patients are prescribed oral steroids to open the airways, but studies show that only 20 to 30% improve with long-term treatment. Antibiotics have been helpful in treating the bronchial infections associated with COPD, but they are not necessary for all patients. For those COPD patients with severely decreased lung function, long-term supplemental oxygen therapy may be necessary.
If you or a loved one suffer from COPD, the following are some simple steps you should take:
- Always take your medicine as prescribed and follow your doctor's instructions.
- Avoid the things that worsen your symptoms, such as secondhand smoke, dust, air pollutants, allergens and fumes.
- Talk to your doctor about an exercise program that is suitable for you. Many studies have shown the health benefits associated with aerobic exercise for COPD patients. Your doctor might also suggest breathing exercises to relieve and control breathlessness.
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