overview
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs that obstructs the flow of air to the lungs. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, coughing, build up of mucus (sputum), and wheezing. It is usually caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particles, most often from cigarette smoke. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and a variety of other conditions.
- Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions that contribute to COPD. These two conditions usually occur together and can vary in severity in people with COPD.
- Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial lining that carries air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It is characterized by a daily cough and the production of mucus (sputum).
- Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest airways (bronchioles) in the lungs are destroyed from harmful exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases and particles.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Treatment Hyderabad
symptom
Symptoms of COPD often don’t appear until significant lung damage has occurred, and they usually get worse over time, especially if exposure to smoking continues.
Signs and symptoms of COPD can include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity
- Panting
- Chest tightness
- A chronic cough that may produce mucus (sputum) that may be clear, white, yellow, or greenish in color
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Lack of energy
- Accidental weight loss (in later stages)
- Swelling of the ankles, feet, or legs
The reasons
The main cause of COPD in developed countries is smoking. In developing countries, COPD is common in people exposed to fumes from burning fuel used for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated homes.
- Only some chronic smokers develop clinically overt COPD, although many smokers with a long history of smoking may develop decreased lung function. Some smokers develop less common lung diseases. You can be mistakenly diagnosed as COPD until a more thorough evaluation is made.
Risk factors
Risk factors for COPD include:
- Exposure to tobacco smoke. The most important risk factor for COPD is long-term smoking. The more years you smoke and the more packs you smoke, the greater your risk. Pipe smokers, cigar smokers, and marijuana smokers can also be at risk, as can people who are exposed to large amounts of secondhand smoke.
- People with asthma. Asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, can be a risk factor for developing COPD. The combination of asthma and smoking increases the risk of COPD even more.
- Occupational exposure to dust and chemicals. Long-term exposure to chemical fumes, fumes, and dust in the workplace can irritate and ignite your lungs.
- Exposure to hot fuel vapors. In developing countries, people exposed to the fumes from burning cooking and heating fuels in poorly ventilated homes are at greater risk of developing COPD.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Treatment Hyderabad
Prevention
Unlike some diseases, COPD usually has a clear cause and route to prevention, and there are ways to slow the progression of the disease. Most cases are directly related to smoking, and the best way to prevent COPD is to never smoke – or to stop smoking now.
Quit smoking to lower your risk of heart disease and lung cancer.
Get an annual flu shot and regular pneumococcal pneumonia vaccination to reduce the risk of infection or prevent infection.
Talk to your doctor if you feel sad, helpless, or if you think you may have depression.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Treatment Hyderabad