What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder is a lung diseases that compromises a person’s ability to breathe and will worsen over time. The reason breathing becomes difficult with COPD is that the air flow into the lungs is obstructed because of contributing respiratory conditions, and the two most common ones are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. With COPD from chronic bronchitis the lining of the bronchial tubes into the lungs are constantly inflamed and swollen so that they become narrower and less air can pass through them, 

With COPD resulting from emphysema the alveoli at the ends of bronchioles have been destroyed due to exposure to harmful substances and the lungs cannot function properly without these air sacs. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder is treatable, however, and treatment will allow most sufferers to breathe with much less difficulty and participate in life normally. 

What Causes COPD?

Most people who develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder are over 40, and as for what causes COPD the number one contributor is cigarette smoking. Asthmatics who smoke are at even greater risk of having this condition. Long-term exposure to chemicals or fumes as well as exposure to air pollution or excessive inhaling of dust can also lead to COPD. 

It is also possible that some people who develop the condition do so in part because they have a genetic predisposition for it. A deficiency in that alpha-1 antitrypsin protein can be something that is inherited from family predecessors and it may contribute to these people getting COPD. 

COPD Symptoms

The breathing difficulties and wheezing that are the most primary of COPD symptoms are often not experienced when a person first develops this condition. Eventually early stage symptoms will usually appear, and these include shortness of breath (especially after any level of physical exertion), a mild recurring cough, and a frequent and extensive need to clear the throat when first waking up in the morning. 

Most sufferers will then start to experience worsening symptoms, with shortness of breath occurring more intensely and more often being the foremost of them. Wheezing when exhaling, chest tightness, chronic cough with mucus, and a lack of energy are often seen when a person’s COPD begins to get worse. Fatigue, weight loss, and swelling in the feet, legs, and ankles may be symptoms too if COPD is left untreated.

COPD Treatment

The standard approach for COPD treatment is to have the affected person start to use bronchodilators like Foradil or Atrovent. These medications are usually administered via an inhaler that the user will place in their mouth and activate to inhale the medication directly into the lungs. There are also oral medications that ease chest tightness and shortness of breath like Theophylline that may also be recommended by a physician. 

Oxygen therapy can also be a possibility for treatment, and this involves the patient receiving supplemental oxygen through a mask of nasal canula to help them breathe better. Oxygen therapy will only be administered in a clinical setting by a medical professional. 

For people with severe COPD resulting from emphysema a type of surgery called a bullectomy may be needed. This surgery involves removing large abnormal air spaces (bullae) from the lungs for relief from COPD.