The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease consists of different types of progressive lung diseases. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are some of the most common COPD. It progresses gradually, making it difficult to breathe. According to the American Lung Association, 24 million people in America live with COPD, and some millions more people are believed to have symptoms but not diagnosed yet.
Symptoms Of COPD
It gets harder to breathe when you have COPD. At the initial stage, there are mild symptoms with intermittent coughing and shortness of breath. Symptoms become more constant with the increasing progress of the disease, and you may experience difficulties breathing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest.
Early Symptoms
At an early stage, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms are mild, sometimes mistaken for a cold.
Early symptoms:
- Recurrent mild cough
- You may feel shortness in breathing occasionally, especially after you have done exercise.
- If you clear your throat often, especially after waking up every day in the morning.
Worsening Symptoms
As the lungs become more damaged, it gets harder to ignore the progressive symptoms:
- Even mild forms of exercise may lead to shortness of breath.
- Wheezing, especially while exhalation
- Tightness in chest
- Persistent cough with or without mucus
- Lack of energy
- Frequent respiratory infections, flu or cold
- Everyday cleaning of mucus from lungs
Later Stage Symptoms:
- Swelling of legs, ankle, or feet
- Fatigue
- Loss of weight
Symptoms get worse if you are still smoking or expose yourself to secondhand smoke.
Who Gets COPD
COPD affects nearly 16 million people in America. Smoking has been a primary cause of COPD, but you might as well be at higher risk if:
- Your age is over 65
- You are a woman
- Are continuously exposed to air pollution
- You have a deficiency of AAT (alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency)
- Had respiratory infection in childhood
- Have worked with dust, fumes, or chemicals
Causes Of COPD
Smoking
Tobacco smoke causes inflammation and narrows the airways. As a result, almost 85% of COPD cases are due to smoking. In addition, toxic chemicals in cigarettes weaken lung defense mechanisms against infection.
AAT Deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency leads to emphysema. It is an inherited condition, and in addition, its lack leads to lung damage when exposed to dust and smoke.
Air Pollution
If you are exposed to dust, fumes, chemicals, or secondhand smoke for a long time, the chances of getting COPD increase immensely. Thus what you surround yourself with also impacts your body health.
Stages Of COPD
COPD is not a single condition but includes several kinds of lung disease. Doctors describe COPD severity with the help of grading systems that help to know the kind of treatment you need.
Grade 1: Mild. At this stage, the lungs are working at 80% or more of their normal capacity.
Grade 2: Moderate. At this stage functioning of the lungs drops to 50-79% of its normal capacity.
Grade 3: Severe. At this stage, approximately 30-49% of lungs can function properly.
Grade 4: Very severe. At this stage, lung functioning drops below 30% of the normal capacity.
Steps To Reduce COPD
- Stop smoking: To live a longer and healthier life, immediately stop smoking. Not only does smoking cause lung disease, but it also leads to heart disease and lung cancer. The American lung association provides the best programs to help you quit smoking.
- Avoid exposure to airways pollution: Make your surroundings pollution-free to avoid getting COPD, know about the rights to a smoke-free environment. Keep your family and yourself away from pollutants like fumes, dust, chemicals, and secondhand smoke.
Other Ways Include:
- Learning breathing techniques for effective breathing
- Don’t skip your exercise
- Eat a healthy balanced diet
- Avoid coming in contact with harsh chemicals and irritants
- Get a pneumonia flu vaccine
Conclusion
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease progresses at different levels in different people. The lungs damaged from COPD cannot be reversed. However, you can avoid further progression by following a healthy lifestyle and getting treatment as soon as possible. COPD symptoms get easily controlled by taking necessary steps to support lung capacity and avoiding contact with irritants. Do not hesitate to call your doctors if you experience any symptoms that cause concern.