Breathe Easier with COPD
Every breath can be a chore when you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
The term COPD includes conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthmatic bronchitis, the American Lung Association says. Each of these conditions prevents the lungs from working properly.
Airway swelling
All people who have COPD develop swelling in the airways. This decreases the airways’ natural elasticity, restricts the flow of air through the airways, and limits lung capacity.
With emphysema, the walls between air sacs in the lungs disintegrate, leaving fewer, larger sacs. These fewer sacs don’t have as large a surface area to exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide, so they aren’t efficient. People with emphysema are short of breath during physical activity and may be short of breath even at rest.
In chronic and asthmatic bronchitis, the airways have become inflamed and thickened. The linings of the airways produce too much mucus, which builds up, leading to coughing and difficulty breathing. The muscles that surround the lungs’ airways may tighten when they shouldn’t. This can cause airways to narrow, making it harder to breathe.
Smoking danger
COPD and smoking have a clear connection, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Smoking causes up to 90 percent of COPD cases. People exposed to air pollution, chemical fumes, vapors, and mineral and organic dust for long periods of time also are at risk.
Signs and symptoms
COPD develops slowly, and it can take many years before you notice any of these symptoms:
If you have any of these symptoms, it doesn’t mean you have COPD, but you should see your health care provider for an evaluation.
Treatment
COPD can't be cured, but you can take steps to keep your symptoms under control and slow the disease’s progress. The most important step you can take is to quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke.
Your health care provider or a lung specialist will suggest treatments based on the seriousness of your condition.