COPD: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatments

If you are feeling stressed out, does smoking help?

It is not unusual to meet people who smoke cigarettes just to relax or for the sake of it. Their primary method of relieving stress is smoking cigarettes. Smoking may provide temporary relief from stress, but it has long-term negative impacts on both mental and physical health. It has been identified as a leading cause of lung cancer and respiratory diseases such as COPD.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a prevalent lung disease that results in obstructed airflow from the lungs and is typically induced by smoking. It is irreversible but we can prevent and control it from further damage to the lungs. COPD can significantly impact a person's quality of life, causing shortness of breath, coughing, and fatigue. Quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to lung irritants can help manage the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease.

How COPD Occurs?

As said earlier, smoking is the major cause of COPD. Inhaling secondhand smoke on a regular basis can also cause it. In addition, it is also caused by prolonged exposure to air pollutants, dust, occupational fumes, and biomass smoke such as wood smoke.

When we inhale, oxygen-rich air travels down the windpipe and into the lungs' bronchial passages or airways. These bronchial tubes divide into multiple smaller tubes known as bronchioles. At the extremity of the bronchioles are certain small, spherical air sacs known as alveoli, which contain capillaries. When air enters the alveoli, oxygen travels through the capillaries and into the circulation, while carbon dioxide enters the alveoli it is exhaled.

Smoking and air pollutants can damage the walls between the air sacs, causing them to weaken over time and eventually break open. When one large air sac is created instead of multiple small ones, it becomes more challenging for the capillaries to absorb sufficient oxygen and for the body to eliminate carbon dioxide. The individual experiencing this condition finds it difficult to breathe.

The two most prevalent conditions that lead to COPD are:

• Chronic bronchitis
• Emphysema

Symptoms of COPD

Symptoms of COPD usually do not appear until there has been severe damage to the lungs which includes:

• Breathing difficulties
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the chest
• A chronic cough
• Frequent lung infections
• Lack of energy
• Weight loss
  
• Swelling in the ankles, feet, or leg
  

Complications

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe and has been linked to heart disease, lung cancer, hypertension in the pulmonary arteries, and even depression.

When should I consult a doctor?

Find immediate medical attention if you find that you are unable to take a breath, if you see that your lips or the beds of your fingernails have turned dark blue (cyanosis), if your heartbeat is fast, or if you feel hazy and have struggles concentrating.

Diagnosis
Pulmonologists are the best choice to diagnose COPD. The diagnosis process starts with:

Past medical report

By inquiring about habits such as smoking as well as their lifestyle (i.e., if you are exposed to secondhand smoke, air pollution, dust, and pollutants daily).

In addition, the pulmonologist may recommend tests like:

• Spirometry – Examine your lung performance
• Chest x-ray
  
• Arterial blood gas test – Measures the oxygen level in the blood
  
• Computed Tomography (CT) of lung

Treatment for COPD

The Pulmonologist prescribes bronchodilators based on the severity of the condition, which should be taken using inhalers. Bronchodilators, antibiotics, inhaled steroids, and oral steroids are all types of medication that can be used to treat respiratory conditions. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles around the airways, while antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections. Inhaled and oral steroids can help reduce inflammation in the airways, making it easier to breathe. In case your condition is extremely severe, your doctor may recommend oxygen therapy and a pulmonary rehabilitation programme. In severe cases, surgery may be necessary, and this may involve a lung transplant.

COPD is a disease that is commonly associated with identifiable risk factors and established preventive measures. In addition, there exist techniques that can impede the advancement of the illness. The leading cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. Reducing or quitting smoking is considered the most efficient approach to prevent COPD, particularly if you are still a smoker.

Here are three methods you can take to prevent COPD-related complications:

• To reduce your risk of heart disease and lung cancer, stop smoking.

• Get vaccinated annually against influenza and pneumococcal pneumonia to reduce your risk or prevent certain infections.

• Consult a doctor if you feel helpless or think that you may be experiencing depression.