Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is that affects the lungs of an individual. This is a group of progressive diseases that gets worse over time but if treated well in advance, it can have control over the symptoms. In this guide we would talk in detail about the COPD disease.
What is COPD?
COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease that obstructs airflow to the lungs. People suffering from COPD are at higher risk of suffering from lung cancer, or heart attacks and several other health ailments. This particular disease isn’t curable but can be controlled and the health ailments can be checked if diagnosed at an earlier stage.
How Is The Lung Affected?
To understand the effect of COPD let’s first understand the functioning of the lung. When we inhale oxygen, it reaches our lungs from the windpipe to the bronchi. Bronchi are 2 tubes which further divide into smaller tubes known as bronchioles. The air passes from these bronchioles to the alveoli which are small sacs present at the end of the tubes. The alveoli consist of thin blood capillaries where the blood passes to the bloodstream.
In the same process the body releases carbon dioxide which is exhaled out of the body through the capillaries to the alveoli and then the bronchioles to the bronchi and finally the windpipe. The bronchioles are elastic and help to push out the air from the body. COPD damages these tubes thereby leading to over expansion of these tubes.
Over expansion of these tubes leaves little air in the lungs every time it is exhaled. The flow of the air into the lungs and from the lungs to outside decreases gradually thereby leading to less oxygen supply to the body and giving rise to COPD symptoms. The early symptoms of the COPD are chest tightening, wheezing, mucus, breathlessness and coughing. Other respiratory problems include influenza or flu. The problem of COPD is common in smokers though not all smokers suffer from COPD, at times excessive and long term exposure to irritants also lead to COPD. If you are into excessive smoking and suffering from breathing trouble, search for a “ pulmonologist in Kochi “ and get an immediate consultation from a specialist in your nearest location
What leads to COPD?
Generally, cigarette smoking is a reason for COPD but it is not the single factor. There are other factors that lead to the development of this disease. Most of the people who suffer from COPD are at the age of 40 and above and usually have a smoking history. Other factors such as genetic susceptibility and irritants also risk the problem of COPD. Let’s check a few factors that lead to COPD
Smoking or tobacco consumption: Not only active smokers but even passive smokers who stay with a smoker can develop the problem of COPD.
People suffering from Asthma: Asthma is already a chronic lung disease, and it increases the risk of developing COPD even more.
Genetics: a rare condition known as Alpha -1-antirypsin is a genetic disorder that causes COPD.
Exposure to chemicals and dust: if you are exposed to irritants for a prolonged period, you can develop the problem of COPD. Irritants such as vapour, fumes, chemicals, dust led to the problem of COPD.
Air pollution inside the house: exposure to smoke coming out of woods, coal, agricultural waste and animal dung may lead to the problem of COPD.
Symptoms of COPD:
The problem of COPD is diagnosed only after it has reached its advanced stage. The symptoms keep becoming more severe and frequent as and when the problem matures. With COPD a person finds it difficult to breathe. Here are the common COPD symptoms for you to know:
- Chest Tightening
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Generating excess amount of mucus
- Suffering from respiratory infection frequently
These are early stage symptoms, while in the later stage COPD causes weight loss, fatigue, low oxygen level in the body, inability to talk properly, feeling confused etc. Immediately consult the best pulmonologist in Kochi if you face any of the above symptoms.
Common types of COPD are:
Chronic bronchitis: This type of disease is caused due to inflammation in the airways. Constant mucus formation, with breathing problems are seen.
Emphysema: This is a condition where damage is caused to the fragile walls of the alveoli. While exhaling small air bubbles collapse out of the sacs resulting in permanent holes in the lungs.
Refractory Asthma: this is an irreversible asthma condition which does not react to standard medication.
COPD is detected with certain tests such as blood tests, ECG, chest X-Ray, CT scan. Doctors may also ask for family history to understand the problem of COPD in the body. Search for the best pulmonologist in Kochi if you are in and around Kochi.
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