COPD is the 4th deadliest disease in the world. COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a lung disease that can occur again and again for a long time. COPD affects more than 15 million Americans. More than 150,000 Americans die from COPD each year - which means that one person dies every 4 minutes! When lungs are regularly exposed to harmful substances such as air pollution and cigarette they can get damaged. The airflow becomes obstructed and the person can suffer from COPD. COPD makes it difficult for a person to breathe normally.
With COPD airways in the lungs become narrow and the air cannot pass through the narrow airways. One reason for this to happen is chronic bronchitis. Chronic bronchitis causes inflammation in the tissues of the airways. Inflammation in the airways increases the production of mucus-secreting cells. Usually, this inflammation is caused by irritating substances like harmful smoke or air pollution. The immune system treats these irritants as foreign bodies or attackers and causes inflammation to battle them.
This constant battle inside the lungs breaks down the tiny air sacs at the end of the airways where the oxygen enters the bloodstream. During this process the lungs become saggy and full of air-trapping holes, this condition is called Emphysema. Along with the breathing problem, COPD is often characterized by a chronic cough, chest tightness, wheezing, and excessive mucus production.
Normal daily activities like running, and walking up the stairs become difficult interfering with the person's well-being with COPD. The most problematic situations of COPD are complications called flare-ups. They are caused by irritants or infections which make breathing even harder. A patient suffering from COPD can end up in a hospital for weeks at a time.
COPD is often diagnosed late which is another big problem with COPD. Some people confuse it with "Smokers Cough". But when left untreated this disease is much more dangerous. The diagnosis of COPD is usually done by a spirometry test which shows how deep a person can breathe and at which speed air can travel in and out of the lungs.
The test is usually paired with identifying symptoms such as breathlessness, coughing, excessive sputum, and if applicable, a smoking history of the person. The general cause of COPD is smoking. Cigarette smoke is a major lung irritant. More than 75% of the diagnosed patients are smokers or have smoked before. Our immune system treats the inhaled cigarette smoke like an attack.
And while battling it, the lungs get damaged in the process. On the other hand, it was observed that in around 25% of cases COPD is caused by air pollution and 2nd-hand smoke. COPD is usually treated with tablets and inhalers which have chemicals that enlarge the airways or steroids that prevent inflammation. As the symptoms worsen with the passage of time, any irritants like 2nd-hand smoke or seasonal infections can lead to major complications.
It is important for COPD patients to stick to their treatment plan and avoid irritants and smoking. At the same time, special breathing exercises and physical activity can help manage the disease. But the most important thing about COPD is that it is curable. The easy way to protect yourself from COPD is to quit smoking and for non-smokers to avoid air pollution and 2nd-hand smoke and getting exposed to harmful chemicals and other irritants.
Also, frequent lung check-ups can help health specialists identify the disease early on and prevent it from worsening. COPD interferes with normal breathing to a life-threatening extent. A study shows that in 2016, more than 250 million people around the world suffered from COPD.
The main cause of Emphysema and COPD is smoking, but for some people, this will be due to a genetic predisposition to deficiency of the α1-antitrypsin protein needed to protect the alveolar tissue from neutrophil. elastase.
Main Difference Between COPD and Emphysema.
COPD and Emphysema are two respiratory conditions that are often used interchangeably due to several similar features they share. Emphysema is a disease in which the air sacs in the lungs are damaged and wide, causing breathlessness and other respiratory problems such as difficulty in walking upstairs. COPD is a mingle of respiratory diseases that contain chronic asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. This is the key difference between COPD and Emphysema.
1 Comments
I'm 61 years old and female. I was diagnosed a couple of months ago with COPD and I was beyond scared! My lung function test indicated 49% capacity. After having had the flu a year ago, the shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pains continued even after being treated with antibiotics. I've been smoking two packs a day for 36 years. Being born without a sternum caused my ribs to be curled just one inch away from my spine, resulting in underdeveloped lungs. At age 34 I had surgery and it was fixed. Unfortunately, my smoking just caused more damage to my already underdeveloped lungs. The problem was having is that I enjoy smoking and don't want to give up! Have tried twice before and nearly went crazy and don't want to go through that again. I saw the fear in my family's eyes when I told them about my COPD then they start to find solutions on their own to help my condition. It was not known then how dangerous cigarettes were for us, and it seemed everybody smoked but I was able to get rid of my COPD lung condition through the help of MULTIVITAMIN HERBAL CURE my husband bought, multivitamincare. org has the right herbal formula to help you get rid and repair any lung conditions and cure you totally with their natural organic herbs. I wish anybody who starts smoking at a young age would realize what will eventually happen to their bodies if they continue that vile habit throughout their life.
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