The META Scholar Volume 7 | Page 25

he upper respiratory consist of external nares, nasal cavity, nasal vestibule, nasal septum, hard and soft palate, nasopharynx, pharynx, larynx, and the trachea. The air is drawn in by the upper section of the respiratory system. It is warmed, cleaned, and conditioned, mucus secreting membranes that passes through the pharynx, larynx then the air is directed by the epiglottis to the trachea which is a part of the lower respiratory tract. · · A pulmonologist may recommend medication, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, vaccinations, and/or surgery. The broncho-dilators are a common medication treatment solution, especially for individuals with a mild case of COPD. More severe patients may use a stronger and longer lasting broncho-dilator inhaler. Other options may include rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation is to help improve breathing. Special exercises, nutrition, and psychological treatment can help to improve the The lower respiratory tract includes the quality of life. trachea, the bronchi, bronchioles, and the Patients should try to remain as healthy as aveoli which are hidden inside the lungs. The possible. Avoid getting sick and talk to your doctor bronchi split left and right at the inferior end about receiving the flu shot because viral and of the trachea to enter the left and right lungs bacterial infection can easily infect COPD to smaller branches of bronchioles that are individuals. The pulmonologist may suggest some connected to small air sacs called aveoli. patients have surgery not everyone is a candidate for These aveoli sacs have a very important this procedure. relationship with the blood stream. In the Bullectomy is one of several procedures for exchange of gases, the small aveoli sac must COPD patients. A bullectomy is a procedure that transfer oxygen from the lungs to the bloodstream. This is crucial for many cells removes large ruptured damaged alveoli from the within the body. Carbon dioxide from the lunges. This can improve breathing in some patients. bloodstream must also be transferred to the Some individuals in the advance stages of COPD ma receive a procedure known as Lung Volume lungs as waste to be exhaled. Reduction Surgery (LVRS). The goal of the surgery There is no cure for COPD patients is to reduce 20%-30% of the diseased lung tissue, but there are breathing treatments to help aid that way the healthy portion of the lung may perform breathing. When someone has COPD, it also more efficiently. A lung transplant is a last resort and necessary for the patient to quit smoking first sadly there are more COPD patients than available and try to avoid air pollution that may irritate donated lungs. the lungs. Doctors and researchers of Cleveland Clinic and other hospitals are researching new materials to help the damaged lung tissues. Doctors place special scopes in the patients’ mouth to insert coil in the lungs. This could help the lung regain more elasticity because without enough elasticity exhalation cannot be accomplished properly and unexhaled carbon dioxide can detrimental. (American Lung Association 2013).