All Information About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a group of lung diseases that block the flow of air and make it difficult to breathe. If once, the lungs are damaged by COPD then, there is no going back. Treatment can help but it can’t be cured completely. There are two conditions that are very common in this disease, Emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. These two generally occur together.

Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli or in simple language, you can say air sacks are damaged. The inner walls of the alveoli get ruptured along with the thinning of the inner walls. Chronic bronchitis is the inflammation of bronchi or the narrowing of bronchial tubes, it allows to make mucus. If COPD is not treated it can lead to worse respiratory diseases, heart problems, and other chronic diseases.

Causes of COPD-

There are many factors and causes that affect our lungs. Some of them are-

The main cause of COPD is smoking.
People working in factories and chimneys come in direct contact with the smoke and it gradually affects their lungs and health.
Dust, air pollution, or some chemicals also affects the working of the lungs.
If you have asthma, then the chances of having COPD are more.
If you hang out with your smoker friend or lives around them for a longer period of time then chances are high of getting infected.
There is a protein name alpha 1 antitrypsin (AAT). If you have a lack of this in your body then there is a chance that you might get infected with COPD.
The deficiency of alpha 1 antitrypsin can also affect the liver along with the lungs.
Along with tobacco smoking, cigar smoke, pipe smoke can also cause COPD.

Symptoms of COPD-

At the start, there is the slightest chance of having any symptoms. But later on, it will progressively increase with time.

At the start, you will feel that you have a cough and cold.
There is a problem with breathing.
It can cause high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries.
The risk of lung cancer is very high in people suffering from COPD.
You can experience wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing).
There is a chance of chest tightness.
Cough release with mucus.
Your all energy will start to lose up.
In the later stage, fatigue can also occur.
There is a chance of swelling of feet, ankles, or legs.
Weight loss can also be seen.

Diagnosis of COPD

When you visit the doctor, he will go on for series of tests as there is no particular diagnosis. It all depends upon the symptoms. Do tell your doctor about each and every symptom. Because the slightest of information will help him in curing you.

CT scan – CT scan test provides an image in which all your details will show about your lungs, heart, vessels, and arteries.
Chest X-ray – Chest X-ray will give information about Emphysema and other lung problem or also about heart failure.
Spirometry – In this test, you will blow into a tube connected to the spirometer after a long deep breath.
Lung (pulmonary) function tests- These tests will calculate the amount of air we can inhale and exhale, and whether your lungs deliver enough oxygen to your blood. The most common test is called spirometry. Other tests include measurement of lung volumes and diffusing capacity, six-minute walk test, and pulse oximetry.
Arterial blood gas analysis- This blood test measures how well your lungs bring oxygen into your blood and remove carbon dioxide.

These will help in finding if you have COPD or not.

Treatment of COPD

First of all, you have to quit smoking if you are doing so.
Oxygen therapies will be given to you if the flow of oxygen is too low. A mask or nasal cannula will be provided to you.
Inhaled steroids- Inhaled corticosteroid medications can reduce airway inflammation and help prevent exacerbations. Side effects may include bruising, oral infections, and hoarseness. These medications are useful for people with frequent exacerbations of COPD. Examples of inhaled steroids include:

Fluticasone (Flovent HFA)

Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler)

Oral steroids- For people who experience periods when their COPD becomes more severe, called a moderate or severe acute exacerbation, short courses of oral corticosteroids may prevent further worsening of COPD. However, long-term use of these medications can have serious side effects, such as weight gain, diabetes, osteoporosis, cataracts, and an increased risk of infection.
Theophylline- When another treatment has been ineffective or if cost is a factor, theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theochron), a less expensive medication, may help improve breathing and prevent episodes of worsening COPD. Side effects are dose-related and may include nausea, headache, fast heartbeat, and tremor, so tests are used to monitor the blood levels of the medication.
Antibiotics- Respiratory infections, such as acute bronchitis, pneumonia, and influenza, can aggravate COPD symptoms. Antibiotics help treat episodes of worsening COPD, but they aren’t generally recommended for prevention. Some studies show that certain antibiotics, such as azithromycin (Zithromax), prevent episodes of worsening COPD, but side effects and antibiotic resistance may limit their use.
Bronchodilators- They are medications that usually come in inhalers that relax the muscles around your airways. This can help relieve coughing and shortness of breath and make breathing easier. Depending on the severity of your disease, you may need a short-acting bronchodilator before activities, a long-acting bronchodilator that you use every day, or both.

Examples of short-acting bronchodilators include:

Albuterol (ProAir HFA, Ventolin HFA, others)

Ipratropium (Atrovent HFA)

Levalbuterol (Xopenex)

Examples of long-acting bronchodilators include:

Aclidinium (Tudorza Pressair)

Arformoterol (Brovana)

Formoterol (Perforomist)

Indacaterol (Arcapta Neoinhaler)

Tiotropium (Spiriva)

Salmeterol (Serevent)

Umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta)

Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors- A medication approved for people with severe COPD and symptoms of chronic bronchitis is roflumilast (Daliresp), a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor. This drug decreases airway inflammation and relaxes the airways. Common side effects include diarrhea and weight loss.