The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a chronic inflammation of the lungs that leads to obstruction of the free flow of air from the lungs. The disease occurs as a result of the long term exposure to irritating gas such as smoke. Individuals with COPD are at the highest risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and many other related causes. The signs and symptoms of the COPD may not appear until serious damage has been caused to the lungs. The damage gets worse over time as one continues to be exposed to smoke ( Liu et al., 2015 ). Some of the major symptoms can include breathing difficulty, constant cough, and wheezing. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis have been identified as the major conditions for COPD. The chronic bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchial lining, which plays a key role in carrying air to and from the lungs. Emphysema, on the other hand, is a condition that results when the lungs are damaged due to the exposure to cigarette smoke or other gases. The other symptoms of COPD may include chest tightness, swellings in the feet and ankles, excess mucus in the lungs, which forces one to clear throat in the morning. The individuals with this disease are also more likely to experience some episodes of exacerbations. During such episodes, the symptoms get worse and can last for up to a day.
The doctors usually review the signs and symptoms, family history, and exposure before diagnosing the COPD. One of the tests used to diagnose COPD is the pulmonary function test. This test measures the amount of air an individual can inhale and exhale. A spirometer is the most used tool in pulmonary lung test where the patient is asked to blow in the air into a spirometer. Another test to diagnose COPD is through a chest X-ray, which can reveal the presence of emphysema in the lungs ( Collins et al., 2015 ). CT scan can also detect the presence of emphysema and lung cancer, all of which are the major conditions for the COPD. The other method used to diagnose COPD is the arterial blood gas analysis. This is the test used to measure how well the lung is bringing in oxygen and removing carbon dioxide from the body.
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Some patients may require therapy and medication for the treatment of COPD other than the smoke cessation. However, the most essential in the treatment of COPD is to stop smoking because smoke keeps the disease get worse. In addition to quitting smoking, medications and therapies are also used. Bronchodilators are a medication that can be used to treat COPD and comes in inhaler forms to relax the muscles around the airways ( Bonini & Usmani, 2015 ). This help relieve the patient from shortness of breath and coughing. Another medication that can be used is the inhaled steroids, which work by reducing inflammation in the airways.
Oral steroids are also commonly used medication for COPD, especially when the patient experiences a severe exacerbation. This drug helps minimize the worsening of COPD. Doctors can also use therapies to reduce the worsening of the disease. Oxygen therapy is used by providing supplemental oxygen to the blood for an individual with less oxygen. When the oxygen is added to the blood, the effects that result from insufficient oxygen is reduced ( Bonini & Usmani, 2015 ). Also, pulmonary rehabilitation programs can be used in patients with COPD. This program combines education, nutrition advice, counseling, and training to the patients on how to manage the disease. The patients can be advised on how best to stay healthy, avoid risky behaviors, and adhere to certain recommended nutrition. The program helps reduce the chances of hospitalization for the patient, increase the chances of one taking place in the daily activities, and live a better life.
References
Bonini, M., & Usmani, O. S., (2015). The importance of inhaler devices in the treatment of COPD. COPD Research and Practice , 1 (1), 9.
Collins, B. F., Feemster, L. C., Rinne, S. T., & Au, D. H. (2015). Factors predictive of airflow obstruction among veterans with presumed empirical diagnosis and treatment of COPD. Chest , 147 (2), 369-376.
Liu, Y., Pleasants, R. A., Croft, J. B., Wheaton, A. G., Heidari, K., Malarcher, A. M., ... & Strange, C. (2015). Smoking duration, respiratory symptoms, and COPD in adults aged≥ 45 years with a smoking history. International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , 10 , 1409.
