What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is known by several names – COPD, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, or COLD. The condition is progressive, meaning that the effects of this disease worsen over time. The effects cannot be reversed, but patients can manage their condition.

The two most common conditions associated with COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. To manage these conditions, patients should not smoke and should avoid prolonged exposure to other lung irritants.

By working with their doctors, patients can take an active role in managing their symptoms. Treatments often include doctor-assisted pulmonary rehabilitation, which includes exercise, breathing therapy and diet monitoring. To get the most benefit out of this treatment, patients should make a point to exercise regularly and take care with their diet, trying to avoid foods that encourage the production of mucous. In some cases, doctors may prescribe the use of ventilators or oxygen therapy through a facemask or nasal cannula. For these treatments to be most effective, the patient should wear their oxygen mask or breathing device regularly. 

Smoking is both a cause of COPD and an irritant. Patients who have emphysema or chronic bronchitis will likely hear their doctors tell them that they need to quit smoking, and perhaps the best way to manage symptoms is to do just that. Patients should faithfully take their medications, including bronchodilators and expectorants, in order to manage their symptoms.

In severe cases, doctors may consider surgical intervention. Lung volume reduction surgery is a treatment for severe cases of emphysema. It involves removal of portions of damaged lung tissue, according to the Mayo Clinic. Lung transplant is another option for patients with severe COPD. In very severe cases and those cases of COPD caused by a deficiency of the protein Alpha-1-Antitrypsin, doctors may perform a bullectomy, which entails the removal of large air pockets and damaged lung tissue. 

When it comes to surgical interventions, the patient can play an active role in their preparation and recovery – by getting as much exercise as possible and following dietary recommendations prior to the surgery. Afterward, patients should follow all instructions and take prescribed medications faithfully.

Individuals who live with COPD may runs the risk of other issues, like thinning bone, weight problems, heart failure and even an increased risk of lung cancer. These complications are yet another reason that patients should cooperate with their doctors and treatment plans as much as possible.

Specialists in COPD treatment brought this article to you

Sources: 

Lung volume reduction surgery: http://www.mayoclinic.org/lung-volume-reduction-surgery/

Surgical intervention explanations: http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/surgical-procedures.html