Chronic Pulminary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a debilitating disease that can result in death. It decreases airflow making everyday activities difficult. This disease usually worsens overtime, and is mostly a result of smoking. Your lungs become inflamed with COPD. Specific management can help you live with this disease.
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Definition
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD, includes chronic emphysema and bronchitis. These two illnesses usually coexist. In Chronic Bronchitis your airflow may be restricted by your narrowing airway which also fills with mucus. In emphysema, the air sacks in your lungs trap old air because they are stretched out. This prevents new air from getting in. The poor airflow generally worsens as time progresses. The shortness of breath it causes is called dyspnea.
Symptoms
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You likely feel out of breath as a main symptom of COPD. Shortness of breath may first become apparent during vigorous exercise and it may become progressively worse. As it worsens, you may become short of breath during any activity. Progressive symptoms include sputum and mucus from your cough, fatigue, wheezing and a tightened chest. If you have severe COPD, you may experience respiratory failure due to lack of oxygen. Because of your poor airflow, you will have increased carbon dioxide in your blood. This can result in drowsiness and severe headaches. Your heart will have to work harder to pump your blood which can cause it to become strained. This may result in swollen ankles and more severe shortness of breath.
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Risk Factors
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If you have COPD you are probably a smoker. Research shows that up to 90 percent of the US cases of COPD result from smoking. Certain industry careers carry the risk of COPD, such as coal and gold mining, and the textiles. The fumes from welding have also been found to contribute to COPD. Residing in large cities increases your contact with air pollution and increases your chances of this disease. Heredity can also make you susceptible to COPD. The exact cause of this phenomenon is not known, but there are genetic issues that can make you more prone to the ill effects of tobacco smoke. If your airway has an exaggerated response to inhaled irritants, should you develop COPD, you may have worse symptoms than the average patient.
Diagnosis
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If you have had exposure to any of the risk factors, you have a chronic cough, mucus and shortness of breath your doctor may consider a diagnosis of COPD. Your diagnosis can only be confirmed with a breathing test called a spirometry test. It tests the volume of air you can breathe out to see if it is within the normal range of at least 70 percent. Your doctor may use a chest x-ray to rule out any other lung conditions. He may also use a blood test to find your oxygen levels.
Management
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Scientists have not found a cure for COPD. Ceasing smoking is the only intervention that actually slows down COPD. Sometimes you may go on to require prescription drugs,such as inhalers or oxygen therapy. Industries can improve working conditions to reduce debris and airborne irritants. They can also provide appropriate gear to prevent inhalation of possible causes of COPD. This would include improving ventilation and providing respirator. If you live in a highly populated area, remaining indoors during the day when pollution is often worse can decrease symptoms. In severe cases a lung transplant may be necessary. This surgery is usually reserved for younger patients.
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