chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: COPD

         Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease is one of the most common lung diseases. It makes it difficult to breath. 

Causes :  

Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. The more a person smokes,
the more likely that person will develop COPD. However, some people smoke for years and never get COPD. 

Risk Factors:

. Exposure to certain gases or fumes in the workplace.

. Exposure to heavy amounts of secondhand smoke and pollution 

. Frequent use of cooking fire without proper ventilation

Symptoms: 

> Cough, with or without mucus

> Fatigue

> Many respiratory infections

> Shortness of breath that gets worse with mild activity

> Wheezing

Because the symptoms of COPD develop slowly, some people may not know that they are sick.

Complications: 

< Irregular heartbeat

< Need for breathing machine and oxygen therapy

< Right-sided heart failuer

< Pneumonia

< Severe weight loss and malnutrition

<Thinning of the bones 

Management: 

There is no cure for COPD. However, there are many things you can do to relieve symptoms and keep the disease from getting worse. Pulmonary Rehabilitation does not cure the lung disease, but it can teach you to breath in a different way so you can stay active. Exercise can help maintain muscle strength for respiration. 

. Slowly increase how far you walk

. Try not to talk when you walk if you get short of breath

. Use pursed lip breathing when breathing out

. Avoid very cold air

. Making sure no one smokes in your home

. Reducing air pollution by getting rid of fireplace smoke and other irritants 

. Persons with COPD must stop smoking

. Eat fish, poultry, lean meat, fruits and vegetables.