COPD

COPD

Definition of COPD

 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal breathing and is not fully reversible. The more familiar terms ‘chronic bronchitis’ and ’emphysema’ are no longer used, but are now included within the COPD diagnosis. COPD is not simply “smoker’s cough” but an under-diagnosed, life-threatening lung disease.

Worldwide COPD effect 329 million people or nearly 5% of the population. In 2011, it was ranked as the 4th leading cause of the death, killing over 3 million people. The number of deaths is projected to increase due to higher smoking rates and an aging population in many countries. It resulted in an estimated economic cost of $2.1 trillion in 2010.

 

Cause of COPD

 

Following are some of the causes of COPD:

• Smoking

• Occupational exposure

• Pollution

• Genetics

Smoking is the primary cause of COPD. In non-smokers passive smoking is the cause of 20% case reports. Other types of smoke e.g. marijuana, cigar, water pipe smoke also confer a risk. Smoking during pregnancy may increase the risk for child getting COPD in future.

Pollution is another important cause of COPD. In poorly ventilated areas with cooking fire fueled by biomass or coal are the main causes. Women make the major part of affected population due to direct exposure. However the percentage of COPD is higher in urban areas, with urban air pollution a major contributing factor in exacerbation.

Occupational hazards include coal mining, gold mining, cotton textile industry, exposure to cadmium, isocyanates and fumes from welding. Silica particle exposure can also lead to COPD.

Genetics: Rarely a disease called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency may play a role in causing COPD. People who have this condition have low levels of alpha-1-antitrypsin, a protein formed in liver. Having low levels of this protein leads to lung damage and COPD. If you have this condition and smoke as well, COPD can worsen very quickly.

Signs and Symptoms of COPD

 

The most common symptoms are:

• Sputum production

• Chronic productive cough

• Dyspnea (shortness of breath)

• Increased forced expiratory time

The disease worsens with time and previously was divided into two types: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Emphysema is only a description of lung changes rather than a disease itself, and chronic bronchitis is merely the symptomatic description that may or may not be manifested in COPD patients.

Cough is usually the first symptom. People with COPD often present with the history of “common cold” for long periods. By definition it is chronic bronchitis when it is present for more than three months a year for two years in combination with sputum production. This condition can appear when COPD is not fully developed yet. In some cases cough may not be present at all or may be non-productive if present. Some people attribute this to “smoker’s cough”. Excessive coughing may result in rib fractures and temporary loss of consciousness.

Sputum produced may change in amount over hours to days. People either swallow it or spit it out.

Shortness of breath is the symptom which bothers the most, and people come with the complaint that “I cannot get enough air in”. In COPD it takes longer than normal to breathe out than to breathe in. Typically the shortness of breath occurs on exertion but in advanced stages it may occur during rest or may be present all the times.

Other symptoms may include chest tightness and irritation of behavior.

 

Risk Factors for COPD

 

Following are the risk factors for COPD:

• The main risk factor for COPD is smoking. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to smoke in the past. People who have a family history of COPD are more likely to develop the disease if they smoke.

• Long term exposure to other lung irritants such as dust particles, coal and asbestos.

• People with sedentary lifestyle are more prone to develop this.

Diagnosis of COPD

 

Your doctor will diagnose COPD based on your signs and symptoms, your medical and family histories, and test results. Your doctor may ask whether you smoke or have had contact with lung irritants, such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes. Your doctor will examine you and use a stethoscope to listen for wheezing or other abnormal chest sounds. He or she also may recommend one or more tests to diagnose COPD.

• Lung Function Tests: Lung function tests measure how much air you can breathe in and out, how fast you can breathe air out, and how well your lungs deliver oxygen to your blood.

• Spirometry: During this painless test, a technician will ask you to take a deep breath in. Then, you’ll blow as hard as you can into a tube connected to a small machine. The machine is called a spirometer.The machine measures how much air you breathe out.

• A chest X-ray or CT-scan test.

• An arterial blood gas test.

• Others: The main test for COPD is spirometry. Other lung function tests, such as a lung diffusion capacity test, might be used.

Prevention from COPD

 

Following measures should be taken to avoid COPD

Smoking cessation:

The best way to prevent COPD is to not start smoking or to quit smoking. Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. If you smoke, talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit. If you have trouble quitting smoking on your own, consider joining a support groups. Many hospitals, workplaces, and community groups offer classes to help people quit smoking. Ask your family members and friends to support you in your efforts to quit.

Occupational health:

A number of measures should be taken to reduce the likelihood for those who work in high risk environment. These measures include education of workers, making public health policy and management about the risks.

Air pollution:

Both indoor and outdoor quality should be improved to prevent COPD.one key effort is to reduce the exposure to smoke from cooking and other fuels by having a better ventilation system.

 

Treatment of COPD

 

There is no cure but the symptoms are treatable and the progression can be delayed. The major goals of management are to reduce risk factors

The goals of COPD treatment include:

• Relieving the symptoms, if there are any.

• Slowing the progression of the disease by reduce exposure to risk factors

• Improving the exercise tolerance (your ability to stay active)

• Preventing and treating complications

• Improving overall health

• Lifestyle change to help reduce the risk factor exposure.