Prevention Beat

 

November 4, 2009

 

November is COPD Awareness Month

 

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a progressive disease that makes it hard to breath and gets worse over time.  COPD is a major cause of disability, and it's the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.  More than 12 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD.  An additional 12 million likely have the disease and don't even know it.

 

To understand COPD, it helps to understand how the lungs work.  The air that you breathe goes down your windpipe into tubes in your lungs called bronchial tubes, or airways.  The airways are shaped like an upside-down tree with many branches.  At the end of the branches are tiny air sacs called alveoli.  The airways and air sacs are elastic.  When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air like a small balloon.  When you breathe out, the air sac deflates and the air goes out. 

 

In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways because of one or more of the following:

 

 

COPD develops slowly.  Symptoms often worsen over time and can limit your ability to do routine activities.  Severe COPD may prevent you from doing even basic activities like walking, cooking, or taking care of yourself. 

 

In the United States, the term "COPD" includes two main conditions—emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis.  In emphysema, the walls between many of the air sacs are damaged, causing them to lose their shape and become floppy.  This damage also can destroy the walls of the air sacs, leading to fewer and larger air sacs instead of many tiny ones.  In chronic obstructive bronchitis, the lining of the airways is constantly irritated and inflamed.  This causes the lining to thicken.  Lots of thick mucus forms in the airways, making it hard to breathe.  Most people who have COPD have both emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis.  Thus, the general term "COPD" is more accurate.

 

COPD has no cure yet, and doctors don't know how to reverse the damage to the airways and lungs.  However, treatments and lifestyle changes can help you feel better, stay more active, and slow the progress of the disease.

 

You can take steps to prevent COPD before it starts.  The best way to prevent COPD is to not start smoking or to quit smoking before you develop the disease.  Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD.  Long-term exposure to other lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust, also may contribute to COPD.  If you smoke, talk to your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit.  The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's "Your Guide to a Healthy Heart" booklet has more information about how to quit smoking.  The booklet can be downloaded for free at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/other/your_guide/healthyheart.htm.

 

If you already have COPD, you can take steps to prevent complications and slow the progress of the disease.  The most important step you can take is to quit smoking.  This can help prevent complications and slow the progression of the disease.  Manage the disease and it’s symptoms by following your treatments for COPD exactly as your doctor prescribes.  They can help you breathe easier, stay more active, and avoid or manage severe symptoms.  Talk with your doctor about whether and when you should get flu and pneumonia vaccines.  These vaccines can lower your chances of getting these illnesses, which are major health risks for people who have COPD.  Prepare for emergencies.  You should seek emergency care if you have severe symptoms such as:  trouble catching your breath or talking, your lips or fingernails turn blue or grey, you experience chest tightness or if the recommended treatment for symptoms that are getting worse isn't working. 

 

If you have COPD or think you may be at risk, you can take steps to make breathing easier and live a longer and more active life.  Get a simple breathing test and talk with your doctor about treatment options that are right for you.

For more information about COPD visit the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute’s web page at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/.   

 

 

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