Breathe Easy Early diagnosis , treatment key to COPD management
or CT scan can suggest the diagnosis , but pulmonary function tests are needed to be certain .
Breathe Easy Early diagnosis , treatment key to COPD management
By : Pavan Irukulla , MD , Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine
Can ’ t seem to catch your breath ? Huffing and puffing after your daily exercise ? Is that rumbling cough becoming more and more frequent ? Shortness of breath and decreased cardiovascular fitness are often attributed to being out of shape or “ just getting old .” Don ’ t be so quick to dismiss breathing difficulties — they may signal the onset of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease , a serious respiratory condition .
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD ) is one of the most common respiratory diseases – and it is the third rank cause of death in the United States , killing more than 120,000 individuals each year .
COPD is a commonly overlooked health threat that goes undiagnosed , because the symptoms are often dismissed or attributed to other health conditions until the disease is at an advanced stage . COPD has no cure , but is both preventable and treatable .
The primary cause of COPD is tobacco : 80 to 90 percent of COPD cases are caused by smoking . COPD can also be caused by air pollution ( including secondary smoke and exposure to occupational dust , gas , chemicals and toxic fumes ), asthma and respiratory infections . People who work or have worked in industrial environments are also at risk . Poor nutrition , asthma and repeat respiratory infections have also been linked to COPD development . Genetics can also play a role in an individual ’ s development of COPD — even if the person has never smoked or has ever been exposed to strong lung irritants in the workplace . Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency ( AATD ) is the most commonly known genetic risk factor for emphysema . Research has shown that the risk of developing COPD is associated with lower educational and income levels . Experts believe this is due to factors such as nutrition , overcrowding and air pollution . Lung infections in early life and mothers who smoke are other important risk factors for COPD as well .
The two main forms of COPD are emphysema , the destruction of the airways in the lungs which leads to decreased oxygen absorption ; and chronic bronchitis , the inflammation of the lungs ’ airways and build-up of mucus that causes breathing obstruction . The decreased ability of the lungs to absorb and use oxygen causes arteries in the lungs to narrow . This means that the heart has to work even harder to push blood through the smaller vessels , which can lead to pulmonary hypertension ( abnormally high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs ) and possibly heart failure .
Symptoms of COPD :
• A cough with mucus
• Shortness of breath that gets worse with mild activity
• Fatigue or inability to exercise
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the chest
If you have any of these symptoms , bring them to your doctor ’ s attention .
COPD most commonly affects current and former smokers , women and individuals over age 45 . It affects the quality of life by severely compromising the ability to breathe , which leads to decreased physical activity and increased risk for other chronic diseases such as obesity , cardiovascular disease and cancer .
Diagnosis COPD can be diagnosed with a simple lung test , known as a pulmonary function test or spirometry . This test measures the amount of airway obstruction in the lungs by calculating the force and volume of air that a patient exhales over time . Arterial blood gas is a blood test to check amount of oxygen in the blood , Alpha-1 Antitrypsin levels and also genetic testing , a chest x-ray , echocardiogram , electrocardiogram
Treatment COPD can be treated in several ways , from medication to supplemental oxygen to Surgery . Pulmonary rehabilitation , a hospital-based program that combines education and exercise classes , can help COPD patients improve lung function and reduce symptoms .
People with COPD should be vigilant about getting Pneumonia vaccine and an annual flu vaccine , since they are prone to complications from flu and pneumonia . Research has found that an annual flu vaccine actually reduces serious illness and death in COPD patients by 50 percent . Good oral hygiene is also important , to prevent germs in the mouth from developing into more serious infections .
To learn more , visit website at www . lungandsleepspecialists . com ; click on “ PULMONARY MEDICINE ,” “ Conditions ,” and “ COPD ,”. Contact us today for an appointment at 817-594-9993 to assess your lung health or learn more about our rehabilitation therapy offerings for COPD patients .
COPD affects more than 15.7 million Americans . More than 50 % of adult were not aware that they had COPD . The actual number may be higher .
About the Author : Pavan Irukulla , MD , earned his medical degree from Kasturba Medical College , Mangalore , India . He then completed his Masters of Public Health from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond , Virginia . He then went on to do his residency in Internal Medicine from Scranton Temple Residency Program in Scranton , Pennsylvania and subsequently practiced for 5 years as an internist . His passion in pulmonary diseases and critical care medicine drove him to New York City to pursue his training at Maimonides Medical Center , Brooklyn , New York . He is a member of the American College of Chest Physicians and Texas Medical Association .
He is currently accepting new patients . Please call 817-594-9993 .
To find a physician close to you , visit Weatherford Regional Medical Center ’ s online Physician Directory at WeatherfordRegional . com / Physicians
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