Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
What is COPD?
COPD is a group of diseases that limit the flow of air into and out of the lungs. COPD affects nearly 17 million Americans. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S, accounting for more than 119,000 deaths in 2000.
COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which are most often caused by heavy, long-time cigarette smoking. COPD can also include chronic asthma. COPD sufferers are more likely to get lung infections.
Chronic Bronchitis – Diagnosed when you cough up mucus and feel short of breath three months or more each year for at least two years. It is characterized by restricted air flow in and out of the lungs, causing shortness of breath and sometimes wheezing. The cilia in the lungs are also damaged, so they cannot remove excess mucus.
Emphysema – Begins with damage to the alveoli (at the end of your lungs’ airways), when their walls lose elasticity and enlarge. The airways become less elastic and collapse when you exhale. Carbon dioxide gets trapped in the airways, preventing oxygen from reaching the blood. May lead to shortness of breath and dry coughing.
Chronic Asthma – An inflammation of the lining of the airways due to hypersensitivity to allergens and irritants. When the lining swells, the airway muscles go into spasm, further narrowing the airways. Excess mucus may also develop, blocking airways.
What treatment is available for COPD?
Mercy’s Respiratory Therapists work with COPD patients to find ways to live with their disease. Mercy also offers pulmonary rehabilitation at its Health Plaza facility. For more information on these services, click here [link to Mercy Pulmonary Rehab]
Those living with COPD need to avoid smoking, including second-hand smoke, and exposure to irritants such as cold air, fumes, perfumes, dust, smog, pollen and aerosol sprays. It’s also important to prevent infection by avoiding crowds, practicing good hand washing and consulting your physician on receiving flu or pneumonia vaccinations.
A balanced diet is also important, as is pacing any activity according to your energy level. Breathing exercises can also help get more oxygen into the lungs, and prevent shortness of breath.
Mercy’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is staffed by Respiratory Therapists who can help COPD patients learn ways to control stress, conserve energy, good exercises to tone muscles, and different ways of breathing to help get more oxygen into the lungs and prevent shortness of breath.
Call your physician if you have any of these symptoms:
- Change in amount or color of mucus (yellow, green or bloody)
- Increased shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing
- Fever or chills
- Swollen hands, lower legs, ankles or feet
For more information on COPD and other respiratory issues, click here www.aarc.org
