COPD - Some Confusion As to What is Or is Not, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

My mother died at home by herself in August of 2009. Because we didn't find her until the next day, the Medical Examiner came out to the house, as opposed to the EMS people taking her into the hospital. Even though my son told him she had chronic asthma and that was no doubt the cause of death, the ME put down COPD. Of course, her own doctor said no, she didn't have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Eventually they got it straightened out and we finally got a death certificate.

In the meantime, I became interested in the difference between my mom's problem, which she had battled for 43 years, and COPD. And this is what I found out.

Most patients who are diagnosed with COPD have both chronic bronchitis and emphysema, at least here in the U.S., even though one or the other could be more advanced. If you define each of the components of COPD here's what you get:

• Chronic, of course is the opposite of acute, which is a short term condition. It means that it is continuous or recurring.


• Obstructive, that's easy, something is being blocked.


• Pulmonary refers to anything that has to do with the lungs.


• Disease, well, that's pretty self explanatory.

If we put them altogether, we have a malady that causes trouble getting air out of the lungs because of continuous blockage of the airways. Because that air is trapped in the lungs, you can't inhale enough fresh air to supply the body with the oxygen it needs, so your body tells you to breathe faster. That's when you feel like you can't catch your breath.

Chronic Bronchitis

A permanent, partial blockage of the airways is the result of scarring in chronic bronchitis. Bronchitis is a condition which causes inflammation in the lungs, normally responding to some irritant such as cigarette smoke, dust or pollen, stimulating the production of extra mucus. This is what makes those suffering with chronic bronchitis continually cough, trying to clear those passageways. Another problem it causes is the extra mucus providing a great breeding ground for bacteria and viruses, thereby causing a higher risk of pneumonia and other lung infections.

This is not something that should be overlooked, thinking it isn't serious. Because the earlier you get it treated the more chances you have for preventing serious damage to your lungs.

Emphysema

Alveoli, the tiny air sacs at the ends of airways, are affected by emphysema. These air sacs are the mechanisms that exchange oxygen from the air you breathe with the carbon dioxide and other waste material in the blood. But, with emphysema the thin and fragile walls of the air sacs become stretched, distended and eventually destroyed. At this point it leaves permanent holes in the lungs, causing the shortness of breath because the gas exchange becomes more difficult.

The elasticity of the lungs is also damaged, thereby causing some of the smaller airways to collapse, trapping that air in the lower lungs.

Because of some similar symptoms to other lung ailments, such as asthma, COPD can be misdiagnosed and treated. But it isn't something to overlook, even a mild case.

"If you can't breathe, nothing else matters" was a favorite saying of mine when Mom would take less than the optimal dose of prednisone when she was having difficulties breathing and nothing else worked for her asthma. The same thing goes for COPD. If you can't breathe, truly, nothing else matters.

Not taking COPD seriously can be a deadly mistake. My advice, not being a doctor or medical person, is to get it checked if you have the symptoms.