Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a prevalent lung disease primarily affecting adults. It occurs due to damage to the lung tissues, often caused by smoking or exposure to pollutants, which leads to narrowed airways and difficulty breathing.
COPD is characterized by symptoms such as a chronic cough, excess phlegm production, and shortness of breath, especially during physical activity.
A person diagnosed with COPD is at a higher risk of developing various lung complications, including lung cancer, frequent respiratory infections, and high blood pressure in the lungs, which is known as pulmonary hypertension.
Types of COPD – Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema
COPD can be classified into two types, and they can usually occur together, with varying severity.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is like having a constant battle in your airways. Picture the bronchial tubes as pathways that air travels through to reach your lungs. Normally, these tubes are lined with tiny cilia. Think of them as little sweepers that move mucus up and out, keeping your air passages clear.
However, with chronic bronchitis, these tubes become inflamed and swollen. The cilia can’t function properly anymore, so instead of clearing out mucus, it starts to build up. This leads to a persistent cough that just won’t stop, plus you have a feeling of lots of phlegm in your chest that makes breathing feel heavy and difficult.
Living with chronic bronchitis means dealing with these symptoms day in and day out. The coughing and mucus can vary in intensity, but they’re always there, affecting your ability to breathe comfortably. It’s not just a temporary cold or flu symptom, it’s a chronic condition that requires ongoing management.
Managing chronic bronchitis involves medications to ease inflammation and loosen the mucus, avoiding triggers that can worsen symptoms, and sometimes pulmonary rehabilitation to help keep your lungs as strong as possible.
Emphysema
Emphysema develops when the delicate air sacs in your lungs, known as alveoli, become damaged and lose their elasticity over time. These sacs are important for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your bloodstream.
These sacs are often damaged due to inhaling irritants like cigarette smoke, which contains harmful chemicals that gradually break down the walls of the alveoli. As a result, these air sacs lose their ability to expand and contract properly. This leads to air becoming trapped in the lungs, making it harder to breathe out.
People with emphysema often experience shortness of breath, especially during physical activity, and may have a persistent cough, just like with chronic bronchitis. Managing emphysema involves quitting smoking, using inhalers to open up the airways, and sometimes pulmonary rehabilitation to improve lung function and quality of life.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of COPD?
COPD often develops silently, with symptoms becoming noticeable only after significant lung damage has occurred. Common signs include difficulty breathing, wheezing, a cough that doesn’t want to give up, increased mucus production, feeling like your chest is getting squeezed, frequent respiratory infections, and feeling tired, all because you are not getting enough oxygen!
If you have COPD, you may also experience periods when symptoms worsen and can persist for several days. While similar to asthma in some ways, COPD is distinct in its progressive and chronic nature.
What are the Risk Factors of COPD?
COPD doesn’t happen overnight. It’s often the result of years spent breathing in things that aren’t good for your lungs. Imagine inhaling or being around cigarette smoke, chemicals, or fumes all the time! That kind of self-inflicted abuse or unfortunate exposure can really take its toll. Even the dust around you and not having good airflow, in your home or at work, can contribute.
If you already have asthma and smoke as well, that can increase your chances of developing COPD even more.
Some other things that can increase your risk include being over 65, being a female, or having a family history of a condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AAT). If you had a lot of chest infections when you were a child or if you live in a place with lots of air pollution, those things can add to your risk.
Treating and Managing COPD
COPD is chronic and progressive, but it’s treatable and preventable. You can improve your quality of life when you manage your COPD symptoms properly.
Most COPD cases are caused because of cigarette smoking, so if you smoke, the best way to look after yourself is to quit. It may not be an easy feat or even something you want to do, but removing tobacco from your system is crucial for avoiding more damage to your lungs. You can also reduce your risk of heart disease and lung cancer, which are both extra good reasons to quit.
If you work with chemicals or fumes, make sure that you have proper respiratory protective equipment. In most workplaces today there is plenty of protection available. If not, talk to your supervisor or employer to ensure that you have enough protection while at work.
Your doctor might recommend you have an annual flu vaccination and other regular injections against pneumonia. They will help protect your lungs from these types of respiratory infections.
You might also be prescribed a bronchodilator, which is a medicine to relax your airways, or other types of medications or treatments depending on your severity.
Living with COPD means having to deal with daily challenges like shortness of breath and persistent coughing, but it doesn’t mean you have to give up. If you want to take control, it starts with understanding all the risk factors and your triggers. You can start making small changes, like quitting smoking or ensuring clean air at home, which can make a big difference!
Your lungs are more resilient than you might realize, and with the right support and changes in bad lifestyle habits, you can breathe easier and live well despite being diagnosed with COPD.
