What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

What are the symptoms of COPD?

Symptoms of COPD typically don’t appear until the lung damage has worsened. Some common symptoms of COPD are:

• A chronic (long standing) cough
• Chest tightness
• Cyanosis (bluish discolouration of the nailbeds or lips)
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Lack of energy
• Production of excess mucus
• Shortness of breath (especially during physical activities)
• Swelling in ankles, feet or legs
• Unintended weight loss
• Wheezing (whistle like sound on exhaling)

What are the symptoms of COPD?

Some of the common conditions that increase the susceptibility of acquiring the disease or the risk factors for COPD include:

• Advancing age
• Heredity i.e. from one generation to another
• Long term active or passive exposure to tobacco smoke, more so if you have asthma
• Long term exposure to fumes from burning fuel
• Occupational exposure to dusts and chemicals

What are the complications of COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can cause many complications, including:

• Depression
• High blood pressure in lung arteries
• Increased risk of respiratory infections
• Lung cancer
• Risk of heart diseases

How is COPD diagnosed?

If your cough doesn’t subside with routine medications and you have a history of smoking or other risk factors of COPD, consult a Pulmonologist or physician. COPD can be diagnosed by

• Medical history
• hysical examination
• Tests as required
• Pulmonology function tests: To measure the amount of air being inhaled and exhaled. To check weather lungs can deliver enough oxygen to blood.
• Chest X-ray. To check emphysema. To rule out other lung problems or heart failure.
• Chest X-ray. To check emphysema. To rule out other lung problems or heart failure.
• Arterial blood gas analysis: To determine the concentration of gases like oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
• Laboratory tests: To determine alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

How is COPD treated?

Effective therapeutic management of COPD can offer symptomatic relief, lower risk of complications and exacerbations, and improve quality of life.

• Smoking cessation: The most important step in the management of COPD is smoking cessation. It’s necessary to prevent COPD from getting worse.
• Medications: Several medications are used to treat the symptoms and complications of COPD.
• Lung therapies: Additional lung therapies are administered in moderate or severe COPD.
• Oxygen therapy
• Pulmonology rehabilitation program

Surgery: Helpful to some patients with severe emphysema who cannot achieve symptomatic relief with medications alone. Surgical options include:

• Lung volume reduction surgery
• Lung transplant
• Bullectomy