Figure 1. Long-term Oxygen therapy for patient with severe COPD having low level oxygen in blood.
Table of Contents
Overview
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes inflammation (swelling) of the lung tissue resulting in obstruction of the air flowing through the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, productive cough, and wheezing. This is caused by breathing in irritating gases or small dust particles in the air, usually cigarette smoke, over long time.
People with COPD are susceptible heart disease, lung cancer and various other conditions.
COPD lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties, of which emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common. These two conditions usually occur together and can vary in severity in a patient.
Chronic bronchitis is long term inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. Patients experience daily cough and mucus (sputum) production.
In emphysema, the air sacs (alveoli) at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are damaged by cigarette smoke, or other irritating gases and small dust particles in the air.
COPD is common in middle-aged people who have smoked for a long time. They do not even realise that they have it. The breathing problems get worse gradually over time and can limit physical activity. However, treatment can help keep it under control.
There is no cure for COPD, neither can it be reversed but there are medicines to help control and manage the condition for maintaining daily life.
In UK, about 1.2Million people are diagnosed with COPD or under 2% of the population. This is the second most common lung disease, after asthma. In a subpopulation of adults over 40 years old, 4.5% have COPD.
Symptoms
COPD symptoms often do not appear until there is significant lung damage, and they usually worsen over time, particularly if smoking continues.
Signs and symptoms of COPD include:
- breathlessness, especially during physical activity
- persistent wheezing
- chest tightness
- persistent chesty cough with phlegm (sometimes dismissed as smoker’s cough)
- frequent chest infections
- lack of energy
- unintended weight loss (in late stages)
- swelling ankles, feet, or legs
See your General Practioner (GP) for a check-up. He/she will check your medical history, examine you, have tests carried to prescribe the required medicine(s).
People with COPD may experience sudden intermittent episodes of flare-ups (exacerbations) when their symptoms become worse lasting for days.
See your Doctor if your symptoms do not improve with treatment or get worse, or if you have an infection with fever or change in sputum.
Urgently see your Doctor immediately in an emergency if you cannot catch your breath, if you experience severe blueness of your lips or fingernail beds (cyanosis), or a rapid heartbeat, or if you feel foggy and have trouble concentrating.
Causes
The main cause of COPD in developed countries is cigarette smoking. In the developing world, COPD often occurs in people breathing in fumes from burning fuel for cooking or heating in poorly ventilated homes.
Whereas some chronic smokers develop COPD, many develop reduced lung function. Some smokers develop other less common lung conditions. They may be misdiagnosed as having COPD until they have thorough check-up.
Risk factors
Risk factors for COPD include cigarette smoking, asthma, breathing in dust and chemicals over long time, breathing in fumes from burning fuel, and inherited genetics.
Complications
COPD can cause many complications, including respiratory infections, heart problems, lung cancer, high blood pressure in lung arteries, and depression.
Prevention
Unlike some diseases, COPD has a clear cause and a clear path of prevention, and there are ways to slow the worsening of the disease. Many cases are directly related to cigarette smoking, and the best way to prevent COPD is never to smoke, those that do should stop smoking immediately.
It is not easy for long-term smokers to stop, but they should keep trying. It is critical to get help from the NHS Stop Smoking Services, NHS Smokefree, which can help you to quit smoking for good. It is your best chance for reducing damage to your lungs.
Work exposure to chemical fumes and dusts is another risk factor for COPD. If you work with lung irritants, use a respiratory mask.
Take steps to prevent complications of COPD by:
- quitting smoking to reduce the risk of heart disease and lung cancer
- having annual flu vaccination and regular vaccination against pneumonia to avoid infections
- talking to your Doctor if you feel sad or helpless or think that you may be experiencing depression
COPD
Written by BK Date created/updated 25.06.22
Reviewed by PJ Date Reviewed 02.07.22
