COPD is a lung condition with symptoms like difficulty in breathing and increased mucus production. It causes lung damage and plays a vital role in breathing problems. COPD symptoms also involve chest tightness, wheezing and chronic coughing. Since the symptoms are like pneumonia and asthma, many people misdiagnose it. One needs to properly diagnose COPD. More than 14 million in America, have COPD. It is mainly due to consistent smoking or inhaling second-hand smoke. There is no cure for COPD, but the condition can be treated for many years. The diagnosis and treatment include some advice from a COPD specialist, lifestyle changes and proper medications in regular intervals.
Identify and treat the root cause
Though the condition can occur for many reasons, smoking is the root cause for COPD. More than 90% of the patients who are diagnosed for COPD are smokers. Only 10% of non-smokers get affected by COPD and that too 7% of them are due to second-hand smoke. Try to quit smoking if you are diagnosed with COPD, else the medications are of no use. Your doctor will prescribe a bronchodilator which will ease your pattern of breathing. The medications will relax the muscles around the airways and reduces the mucus in lungs.
Why you need a COPD specialist?
Consult a COPD specialist in regular intervals as recommended by them to avoid any complications. This lung disease needs constant check up with doctors and it is important to tweak your lifestyle a bit. From eating habits till exercise routines, a specialist will recommend. It is essential to adhere to the lifestyle to manage this condition effectively. There are 2 types of inhalers prescribed for COPD - long-acting and short-acting.
Types of bronchodilators
Long-acting bronchodilators will use it daily to control the symptoms. These medications will relieve your muscles and airways near your lungs. When should you use a long-acting bronchodilator? This drug is to be used when you have persistent coughing, headache, nausea, nervousness, and runny nose. Short-acting bronchodilators are rescue inhalers which act as timely help for patients suffering from COPD. However, these inhalers are not to be used in a daily basis. When a patient has difficulty in breathing, this inhaler gives you instant relief. It prevents muscle tightening around the airways near lungs.
COPD can cause low levels of oxygen in patients. It can destroy the air sacs present in your lungs. When destroyed, air spaces called bullae are developed. When these air spaces expand, it makes breathing difficult and shallow. A bullectomy is a surgical process that will remove the damaged air spaces and improves the lung function. When the oxygen levels go very low, surgery is typically prescribed as the last option by doctors. It is usually reserved for COPD patients who do not experience any relief or improvement from other medications and treatment. In few cases, the damaged portions are carefully removed, and the diaphragm will work more effectively allowing the patients to breathe easier. Identify the root cause and diagnose your health properly to lead a stress-free life from COPD.