COPD, How Did I Get It And What Can I Do Now?

The Doctor says I have COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a fast growing affliction amongst Americans. If you have been diagnosed as having COPD you know how devastating it can be. Your quality of life deteriorates as you no longer are able to do simple task that involves physical movement. It's true that COPD will slow you down but chances are, it will not lead to your demise.

What is COPD anyway? Your airways branch out inside your lungs like an upside-down tree. At the end of each branch are small, balloon-like air sacs. In healthy people, both the airways and air sacs are springy and elastic. When you breathe in, each air sac fills with air like a small balloon. In COPD, your airways and air sacs lose their shape and become distorted, like a stretched-out rubber band that won't retain its original shape. In short, COPD is a disease that effects the lungs in which the air passages have become partially non functional. It is not reversible or curable but it is treatable. Included in the family of diseases that make up COPD is emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Asthma is not COPD as it is caused from allergies but over a long period of time it may develop into COPD.

Where did it come from?

I contacted Asthma in nineteen seventy two when I moved from Southern California to New Hampshire. I had no idea moving to a different climate would result in breathing problems but it did and here I am thirty six years later, with COPD. Quite frankly it sucks and anyone who says different probably does not have it. Not being able to breathe is frustrating as you feel like you can do anything but can not. You can not have normal relations with your spouse, grandchildren or the environment. No more intimate interludes, long walks, swimming or any moderately strenuous activities.

COPD is more common than you might think.

As our environment deteriorates breathing problems increase. One problem is it goes unrecognized in many cases as it gets attributed to seasonal allegories or having the flu. A sad fact is there are 24 million people in the United States with some degree of impaired lung function yet only 12 million have been diagnosed with COPD. People can not take charge of their breathing if they don't know they have a problem. A symptom cannot be treated unless it is diagnosed as a viable, treatable condition.

How could I know?

What are the signs of COPD.

Mild COPD is when:

You feel a little short of breath after working hard or after strenuous exercise. (like jogging, doing yard work or climbing stairs)

You cough often resulting in spitting up mucus.

Moderate COPD is when:

You run out of breath when walking up a hill.

You have trouble doing common chores like walking the dog or taking out the garbage.

You cough frequently resulting in extricating mucus.

You need a few weeks to get over the flu or a lung infection.

You have to cut back on activities you have always enjoyed.

Severe COPD is when:

You get short of breath during low energy activities like showering or getting dressed.

You are not able to work or take part in simple activities you have always enjoyed.

You need an extended length of time to get over a cold or lung infection.

You experience labored breathing day and night.

Some people with severe COPD may need oxygen therapy.

I had no idea

Many people with COPD know what their condition is but don't do anything about it until they have lost a lot of their lung function. People tend to contend with their affliction by adjusting. They become less active which is likely to accelerate their condition without proper treatment. Because COPD usually occurs slowly, people become accustom to their condition. The people they are in contact with don't realize the magnitude of the ill person's difficulty and are apt to inject toxins into the afflicted person's environment. This results in an even greater stress being brought to bear upon the person with COPD. Clean, fresh air is difficult enough to breath without being contaminated by aerosols or other toxic products. What is normal to a normal person could be toxic to a person with COPD.

It's not over yet

All is not lost. With proper medications, a person with COPD can live a functional, somewhat average life. You may not be able to play football but you can cheer from the sidelines. You may not be able to dance with the stars, but you can enjoy watching as they dance. It's a matter of keeping a good attitude and accepting your limitations. COPD will slow you down, but then, growing old will also.

If you have a history of smoking or working in a contaminated environment, are over forty and have shortness of breath, you should see your doctor. The doctor will probably do a lung function test to measure the elasticity and capacity of your lungs.

The Calvary is on the way

Today, many things are available to help people manage their COPD. First of all like any disease, get a diagnose early. Next it is important that you and your family learn about the disease and the changes in lifestyle you have to make. The drugs your doctor will prescribe will help open your airways and allow you to breathe easer which will reduce the risk of any complications.

Adjust and enjoy what you have

COPD, like heart disease, can be a wake up call to a healthier lifestyle. Take better care of yourself, get rid of stress, if you are a smoker, now is the time to quit. Work with your doctor to prevent or reduce the likelihood of exacerbations, or worsening of your symptoms. Start a limited exercise program. Don't overdo it, but do it with prudence.

That's about it. Life is full of change, adjustments and difficulties. COPD is the lesser of many thing that could happen. Don't give up, simply adjust.

Happy Trails

What is COPD?

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Many hear COPD and think of it as a disease unto itself. However, it is really a complex of conditions characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. This airflow limitation is usually both progressive (gets worse over time) and associated with an abnormal inflammation of the airways. In simpler terms, when trying to exhale or breathe out, the flow of the breath or air is irreversibly obstructed and can never return to its normal state. The airway will always constrict when trying to breathe out. This traps air in the lungs and makes it increasingly difficult to breathe.

There are two different types of emphysema. The first is called genetic emphysema or alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. This is not caused by smoking but it is still a devastating disease. The second and more common type, is the one associated with smoking. It is characterized by destruction of the airway and air sacs in the lungs. Inflammation also plays a role in the disease. The airway itself is inflamed (swollen) along with the surrounding mucous glands. So with emphysema, you have inflamed, irritated airways producing lots of secretions, leading down to destroyed air sacs. This is quite a situation and easily points to the reason why COPD places such a burden on our health care system and is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide.

Cigarette smoking is the single largest causative factor in COPD. Other causes include occupational dusts and chemicals, outdoor air pollution and passive second hand smoke exposure. Since COPD is a disease that gradually progresses over time, it could take years before someone actually felt short of breath. Most likely, someone will develop a chronic cough and begin to produce more and more throat secretions (phlegm) before they ever have any airway obstruction. This can offer a unique opportunity to identify smokers at risk for COPD, and then intervene before the disease becomes a major health problem. Conversely, many with COPD may never develop a chronic cough or increase in throat secretions. A disease like COPD may simply manifest differently from one person to the next.

Today, there are many more treatment options for sufferers of COPD. There are newer generations of drugs available and better science that facilitate better treatment design and modalities. In addition, COPD has truly become a multi-disciplinary disease. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionist, respiratory therapists, behaviorists, psychologists, etc. all work together to help these patients attain a higher quality of life.

Treatment is founded on a staging of the disease, based on the symptoms one has. The first treatment is simple avoidance. Smoking cessation is the most powerful tool anyone can use. There is evidence to suggest the progression of the disease does in fact, slow down when the causative factor, smoking, has been removed. COPD is perhaps, the most preventable disease because its primary agent of cause is smoking tobacco.

Because COPD constricts the airway, the next treatment is using what's called a short acting bronchodilator. These medications dilate or widen the narrowed or obstructed airways. This enables the patient to exhale completely and these medications usually last anywhere between four and six hours.

Adding a long acting version of these drugs and inhaled steroids is the next level of treatment used. The longer acting bronchodilators help with the constricted airways, while the steroids hope to reduce the inflammation or swelling found within the airways. Pulmonary rehab is also considered at this point and can be an effective in elevating the patient's quality of life. After this, long term use of supplemental oxygen is used and it's here when people begin to discuss surgical options.

People with COPD often have a high prevalence of other diseases as well. The treatment for COPD may not be the only treatment required. For instance, many with COPD also have cardiovascular disease. Others may have osteoporosis or frequent respiratory infections. Still others may have clinical depression or develop diabetes. The impaired lung function has long-term implications on metabolism and the normal state of many organ systems such as the skeleton, heart, brain and skeletal muscle. The treatment of COPD can become quite complex and in some cases, very difficult, in the presence of some of these other diseases.

Although smoking prevalence has decreased in the past decade, more needs to be done to relieve the weight placed on society and the health care industry. Worldwide, an estimated 8.8% of all deaths (4.9 million) are caused by tobacco. A recent survey from the American Lung Association reveals that almost half of all COPD patients experience shortness of breath while washing and dressing. The survey goes on to report that nearly one quarter of the COPD respondents consider themselves an invalid.

Not only does COPD affect the individual person, but the nation as a whole. Education and publicity, along with strategies to promote smoking cessation should be a top priority for everyone.

COPD Stages

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD kills countless people in the United States every year and it has no cure. Caused mainly by smoking, the early identification of this disease helps is crucial in controlling the symptoms. Also, the medicine prescribed for the disease largely depends on the stage the disease is in.

In the initial stage of the COPD, any obvious symptoms may not be visible in the patient's body. However, the patient may experience symptoms such as cough or excessive sputum. Often, the patient experiences minimal shortness of breath. If detected in the early stages, COPD can largely be controlled by immediately stopping the consumption of tobacco. This stage is called stage 0. This stage is considered as the "Risk Stage"

In stage 1, the patient may experience severe breathlessness on a regular basis. But, it will not affect his daily life, as the periods of breathlessness are short lived. This is considered to be a mild stage. In this stage, the lung function of the patient is equal to or better than 50% of the lungs function of a healthy adult of the same age. Here, functions of the lungs are tested with a spirometer. Mild COPD can be treated with short acting inhaled beta-agonists.

In stage 2, the performance of the lungs drops down to 30% to 40%. This is the stage where the disease actually starts affecting daily life as the periods of breathlessness are more frequent and continue for long durations. This stage is considered to be a 'moderate' stage and can be treated with one or more bronchodilators or inhaled anticholinergics.

In stage 3, the performing level of the affected lungs drops below an alarming 35%. As the intensity of the disease increases, the quality of life decreases rapidly. The patient is now affected more and more by severe breathlessness. This stage is considered to be severe. In many cases, it can be life threatening. Severe COPD can be treated with one or more bronchodilators, inhaled glucocorticosteroids, and inhaled anticholinergics.

The earlier the symptoms of COPD are detected, the better it is for the patient. Although COPD cannot be completely cured, it can certainly be controlled well, if detected. The best advice to avoid the probability of COPD is --- Don't Smoke!

Strengthen Your Muscles With COPD

Anyone living with COPD knows when it comes to exercise it is a thought way back in the mind. However, carrying out some simple breathing exercises can help with your COPD treatment. Specific breathing exercises can help to strengthen your breathing muscles which over time will result in stronger lung power.

Breathing muscle training exercises also offer many other benefits. Not only will you strengthen your diaphragm but the muscles around your rib cage and abdomen will become stronger. Rehabilitation for pulmonary conditions includes teaching patients the correct techniques for breathing that are combined with muscle strengthening as these are the elements that enable you to breathe correctly. If you suffer from COPD then exercise is an important activity that you must regularly do.

The less you exercise the less active you are and this leads to muscle weakness. When muscles become weak they require more oxygen to function, if they don't get enough oxygen then it causes shortness of breath. A suitable exercise program coupled with a healthy diet and monitoring from your Doctor will enable you to concentrate more on a healthy lifestyle without the need of using a tube to breathe.

Not many people are aware the diaphragm is actually a muscle, a muscle that is absolutely crucial for breathing. If you do suffer from COPD then it is imperative you regularly exercise to strengthen your diaphragm and get more air into your lungs. Other muscles that are strengthened with regular exercise include your pectoral muscles in your chest, your intercostals muscles along your rib cage and your abdominal muscles.

Steps you should take when doing COPD exercises

· Never rush into exercising, start at a slow pace and build up your endurance progressively

· If you use an inhaler keep it close to hand as you may need it.

· Before starting any COPD exercise techniques, always clear any mucus build up you may have in your lungs.

· If you rely on a tube for oxygen make sure it is not in your way when exercising.

· For the best results always try to be consistent with your COPD breathing exercises as this will determine if the exercises have helped you or not.

If you suffer from COPD or any other breathing difficulty then it can be difficult to participate in regular sporting and fitness activities, particular sports that require endurance and high stamina like football and rugby. Rugby performance can be improved with some COPD exercises and regular exercise can also be effective for COPD treatment. Simple inspiratory muscle training will increase the efficiency of your lungs and enhance your ability to metabolise oxygen which is crucial to performance and endurance for any sport.

Horse Health Care - Treating Horse COPD Or Heaves

If you have ever seen a horse suffering from symptoms of COPD, also called heaves, then you know that the picture is not pretty. The horse can't breathe properly, respiration is high, nostrils are flared, and then there's the heave line, a sure sign of respiratory distress.

Although this used to be a horse health care condition that affected mostly older horses, today it has become common in younger performance horses or horses under stress. While it has always been assumed that COPD or horse heaves is caused by an allergy to hay, dust, mold, or other allergens, I recently discovered that this condition can also be simply a sign of stress.

While many people feel that heaves is a permanent condition, this case study demonstrates how the symptoms of heaves can be alleviated with nutritional support.

Reyacita: A Case Study

Reyacita is a four-year-old mustang mare I adopted about 8 months ago. She had a rattle in her chest when I brought her home, and the rattle always sounded louder when she was under stress (such as when I started her under saddle).

A few months after she came home, the rattle in her chest developed into a full-blown case of heaves, or COPD. She had difficulty breathing, and coughed deeply and constantly. She was clearly suffering and she could not eat her hay.

Since this happened in late winter, I could not put her on pasture. Instead, I took her off hay and began feeding her soaked beet pulp and a senior pelleted feed. I also offered her grass hay cubes that had been soaked.

I supplemented this diet with Xango mangosteen juice, blue-green algae, enzymes, and probiotics to help heal her lungs. Within two weeks, the coughing had stopped but the rattle in her chest always reappeared when Reyacita was stressed. A prime example is when I rode her through our small town for the first time. Although she showed no other signs of stress, when we reached an intersection that had traffic, she put her head down and rattled with each breath. As soon as we turned around and headed for home, the rattle disappeared.

The Veterinarian's Diagnosis

When I consulted veterinarian Dr. Madalyn Ward about Reyacita's case, she told me that I was on the right track with the mare's diet and supplements. She asked me to find out Reyacita's horse personality type by taking the online test at Horse Harmony. Reyacita turned out to be a Metal personality type, whose typical physical weakness is the lungs, so her bout with COPD or heaves was not surprising.

Recent Changes

Once spring arrived I was able to turn Reyacita out on pasture, although I continued to syringe the mix of mangosteen juice and other supplements into her mouth daily. Her health improved to such a point that the rattle in her chest disappeared, even when she was under stress. Everything went well until she started eating hay again this fall.

I wanted to try feeding her hay again to see whether she had truly conquered her COPD or whether she was truly allergic to hay. For the first 4-5 days, she ate the hay and showed no signs of coughing. Then one day I began training all the horses for cowboy mounted shooting. This involved firing a small revolver at a pretty good distance (about 500 yards) from the horses so they could become accustomed to the noise.

None of the horses showed much alarm, they just all moved to the far end of the pen. However, Reyacita immediately developed a deep heaving cough. The noise from the revolver stressed her enough that her physical weakness, her lungs, immediately showed the effects.

When I discussed her situation with Dr. Ward, she pointed out that when Reyacita heard the sound of the pistol, she probably immediately flipped from the parasympathetic nervous system (the one we use in normal life conditions) to the sympathetic nervous system (used when horses are in fight-or-flight mode). Once the sympathetic nervous system kicked in, Reyacita's immune system became compromised and she started to have heaves again.

Not convinced that Reyacita's COPD symptoms were due to a hay allergy, Dr. Ward suggested I supplement the mare with Eleviv, an herbal product that supports the adrenal system and helps restore the parasympathetic nervous system. I fed Reyacita 2 capsules of Eleviv the first day but gave her no hay. The Eleviv calmed the COPD symptoms within a few minutes, and she improved more during the course of the day. On the second day, I fed her 2 more capsules of Elviv and offered her a few flakes of hay. Reyacita was able to eat the hay without any COPD symptoms. The third day was the same.

This indicates that Reyacita's COPD is the result of stress rather than a hay allergy. While many horses with COPD or heaves are assumed to have hay or dust allergies, this may or may not be the case. As with Reyacita, these horses may simply be under too much stress, and their weakest physical link may be their lungs, hence the COPD.

It would not surprise me to discover that many performance horses operate primarily off their sympathetic (fight-or-flight) nervous system, which depresses the immune system and prevents healing. Bringing this horse back around to the parasympathetic nervous system, as I did by giving Reyacita the adrenal-supporting Eleviv, may allow these horses to not only heal but also to feel a great deal more comfortable.

These days I give Reyacita Eleviv anytime I feel she might be under stress, such as when I haul her to a horse event or when I started her on roping training. So far, she has never shown any signs of COPD or stress when supported in this way with nutrition. It's not for every horse, but Eleviv is definitely something that stays in my first-aid kit in my horse trailer.

What is Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis and What Causes This?

Medically termed Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Bronchitis or AECB, these are episodes when a person affected with chronic bronchitis suffers intense breathing problems, and the episodes appear much more serious. Often the situation becomes so serious that immediate medical attention might be needed and even hospitalization. This situation should be avoided - there are treatments available that can arrest the symptoms and keep them under control.

Chronic bronchitis, which comes under COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, has affected more than 12 million people in the United States. This includes children and pregnant women as well. These people are silent sufferers for which medical science offers no permanent remedies - however with timely intervention, the symptoms can be kept under control. In the acute stage, breathing is more difficult as the airways become more tightened and there is additional mucus in thick form too.

Exacerbation of chronic bronchitis is a condition that rarely causes death. However people suffer a lot. This can occur due to any of the following factors working individually or together.

What Causes The Disease To Become Serious

1. Bacterial or viral infection originating from the collected mass of mucus in or near the airways (also known as tracheal) and this aggravates the chronic disease. The mucus turns greenish or yellowish in color and becomes thick. Some of the more common bacterial pathogens found in AECB patients include streptococcus pneumonia, haemophilus influenza and maraxella catarrhalis, and the rare pathogens are in the group known as chlamydia pneumonia and MRSA. However, pathogens more frequently found in AECB patients with impaired lung function include haemophilus parainfluenza (after repeated use of antibiotics), mycoplasma pneumoniae and gram-negative.

2. Toxins including factory smoke, cigarette smoke, acid vapors from chemical plants, coal and asbestos dust in manufacturing units and mining areas worsen the condition.

3. Allergens including pollens from withered flowers, sundry smell from animal farms, horse stable and chicken runs, musty stench emanating from long unused garments and linens.

Symptoms usually found in patients suffering from chronic bronchitis exacerbation include increased frequency and severity of coughing, which is typically accompanied by deteriorating chest congestion. While shortness of breath is prevalent in most cases, wheezing has also been reported by many.

Diagnostic evaluation of AECB is mostly carried out to eliminate chances of secondary infections as the patient himself/herself provides enough evidence of what he/she is suffering from by relentless coughing accompanied by short of breath.

Exacerbation Of Chronic Bronchitis Treatment

1. Bronchodilators provide relief by opening up the airways for the lungs. These usually comprise of salbutamol and eerbutaline, both being ß2-adrenergic agonists as well as Ipratropium which is an anticholinergic.

2. Cough suppressants are often prescribed to reduce the relentless coughing, but mucolytic agents appear to be more effective in the long run. This is because they can lessen the viscosity of the mucus in the airways.

3. Even though antibiotics may not work, but some of them such as the lipid-soluble antibiotics like macrolides, tetracyclines and quinolones have a better penetrating power on the lung tissues, and are thus often prescribed.

4. Corticosteroids in the form of Prednisone can reduce inflammation in the airways.

. Theophylline when taken orally can alleviate the breathing difficulties. 6. Alternative medications and even homeopathic drugs can help.

How much you will suffer does indeed depend on the exacerbation of chronic bronchitis or the seriousness of your condition. Yes a permanent remedy is difficult. But this is no reason why you cannot improve your condition and keep these severe bouts at bay.

COPD Case Study

I had just clocked in at the hospital. I took the report from the night shift therapist who looked exhausted. This wasn't unusual, but she looked a little more tired than normal. I sat down with my pen in hand to busily write down notes about the patients I would soon be caring for. She quickly gave me the high points about most of my patients. Some were just wearing oxygen while others needed a breathing treatment to get through the night. Then she asked if I was ready to hear about the patient in room 322.

I assured her I was and leaned in close to hear every word. She began to describe a patient we had seen all too often, especially in this last year. She was what we call in the medical community a 'frequent flyer'. This means she was constantly being re-admitted into the hospital after being just discharged a day, week or month earlier. The longest she had gone between admissions was three weeks. This was her ninth admission of the year and we were only into June.

She was a 72 year old woman who was admitted with cough and shortness of breath - her usual admitting diagnosis. The emergency room physician initiated a pulmonary consult the night before, but we already knew what to expect. We had given her the same respiratory therapy care during every admission - nebulizers, steroids, and oxygen.

Her history revealed an emaciated, elderly female, with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and recurrent pneumonia. She smoked an average of one pack of cigarettes a day for 40 years. She quit 12 years ago at age 60. She lives by herself, uses home oxygen 24/7, and takes 4 breathing treatments a day along with 2 other additional inhalers. She was prescribed blood pressure, heart, and kidney medications. To complicate this further, she had experienced two minor strokes within the last 5 years.

Prior to age 60 she had never stepped foot in a hospital or been sick a day in her life. She quit smoking because she developed what her doctor called a smoker's cough. Now here she was, a broken woman. The last ten years of her life had seen multiple admissions to the hospital and tests upon tests upon tests ordered to discover new illnesses, all related to smoking. Her body had given out and there was nothing she could do about it. She is unable to walk from her bed to the bathroom without becoming extremely short of breath. Therefore, home health placed a bedside commode in her bedroom. Home health visited her a couple times a week to make sure she was taking her medications and getting along.

Her physical presentation is that of an elderly, frail woman, weighing about 90 pounds with no muscle tone in her legs or arms. She is barrel chested, with finger clubbing and chronic cyanosis. Her blood oxygen saturation is usually around 90% on 3 liters of oxygen. With activity, her saturations drop in the mid-80's. Her entire life is geared to conserving energy and treating her breathlessness.

Now, in the hospital, she has once again developed pneumonia. More than likely, she never recovered completely from her previous lung infection. COPD makes it easier to acquire pneumonia and harder to get over it. She is financially bankrupt and unable to afford the medications needed to treat her disease. The social worker and the local county are doing what they can to help her pay for the care she receives. Sadly, it appears she won't be requiring their assistance much longer.

COPD has completely ruined her life. She was unaware of the damaging effects that smoking was having on her lungs until it was too late. Then the problems snowballed. That is how smoking does it. While you are in the prime of your life, the damage is being done, unbeknownst to you.

Regret over smoking all those years now fill her mind. I walk into her room and her eyes come to life. She is always happy when we come in to give her a breathing treatment. We talk about life and what challenges she has to face. But the talking triggers her coughing spells and she begins to cough almost continuously as the medicine nebulizes. By the end of the treatment I assess her lungs and hear that the wheezing hasn't really improved very much. I smile and walk away feeling very sad for her.

The next couple days are filled with the same routines, the same medicines and the same disappointment. On a Thursday she passes away. Much too young if you ask me. COPD robbed her of the last decade of her life. It should have been the best time for her, but it was a nightmare.

How You Benefit From COPD Treatment Therapy

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, profoundly affects the lungs and heart, making it difficult to breathe. While patients with COPD might experience challenges with being as active as they once were, COPD treatment that includes exercise that works the lungs and heart can be beneficial. In a 12-month study of 59 patients diagnosed with moderate COPD, physiotherapists in the pulmonary rehabilitation program at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney, Australia found that patients were able to maintain the improvements they reaped from only an eight-week program. Study findings, reported in Medscape Pulmonary Medicine, showed that patients demonstrated significant improvement in a six-minute walk test even after one year.

Pulmonary rehabilitation can include four different types of exercise. Stretching exercises increase muscle flexibility. Aerobic exercise, such as walking or bicycling, improves the body's use of oxygen. Strengthening exercises increases strength and endurance in the breathing muscles. Finally, breathing exercises, which primarily consist of learning to breathe in new and different ways, build up breathing muscles and help the body take in more oxygen with each breath. Diaphragmatic breathing, for instance, specifically works the diaphragm. These exercises can also promote calm and relaxation during periods of breathing distress, helping a patient react in a more effective way.

The benefits of pulmonary rehabilitation are numerous for COPD patients. Even a few weeks of therapy can lead to lasting improvements in breathing, energy, and quality of life, decreasing symptoms and enhancing life expectancy. Rehab exercises allow patients to be more active, which helps the body use oxygen more efficiently and feel more relaxed when sleeping. Finally, it can also strengthen the heart and bones, in addition to the lungs.

It's important to seek the help of a professional in designing a plan based on the specific needs and circumstances of COPD. A professional can demonstrate specific exercises for COPD treatment. Working with an experienced pro has numerous other benefits, as well. You'll get specific advice for COPD, and a professional can offer support and encouragement throughout therapy.

COPD makes breathing difficult, and when patients diagnosed with this disease don't learn to breathe properly, they can experience shortness of breath even when performing simple basic living activities such as grooming. Pulmonary rehabilitation provides patients with the essential tools for managing COPD by teaching ways to not only decrease symptoms, but counteract them through proper breathing techniques which is essential to be able to function with COPD.

COPD Medication

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD does not have any cure. But with the help of medicines and cessation of smoking, it can be kept under control. Different types of medicines cure different types of symptoms. Mucus, breathlessness, cough and fatigue are all the symptoms of COPD. Based on the intensity of the particular symptom and the prescription given by your doctor, you can use one or more than five types of medicines available to keep COPD under control.

Bronchodilators help ease breathing. The medicine in a bronchodilator opens up the airways of your lungs and eases breathing. Oxygen therapy is suggested if it is becoming difficult for your body to get enough oxygen into your bloodstream. Oxygen therapy lessens breathlessness and improves physical stamina in patients suffering from COPD.

COPD patients often suffer bacterial inflections that can cause severe flare-ups in the lungs. In such cases, antibiotics are used to kill the bacteria. Different antibiotics such as Cipro, Amoxil, Septra, etc., kill different bacteria. Sometimes, because of extreme flare-ups in the lungs, a COPD patient may experience flu and pneumonia. Here, vaccines are given to decrease the intensity of the symptom.

Some COPD patients experience severe cough and inflammation in the lungs. These patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs. These medicines are usually in the form of corticosteroids. Anti-inflammatory medicines reduce cough and inflammation in the airways of the lungs. Usually, the patient inhales them. Although corticosteroids are primarily given to asthma patients, they can also help those COPD patients suffering from severe cough and inflammation in the lungs.

Based on the symptoms and the individual reactions to the medicines, doctors prescribe various medicines. But all COPD patients should take some precautions while they use these medicines. Taking the medicines as directed, not stopping them without consulting the doctor, not sharing the medicines with other patients, planning for the refills well ahead of time and being well aware of the effects and side effects of a medicine before you start taking them etc., can be extremely beneficial in containing the symptoms of COPD.

Contact your physician if you experience any side effects from these medicines. They can be increased shortness of breath, allergic reactions, prolonged nausea, vomiting, prolonged muscle cramps, or heart palpitations, white spots in the mouth and vaginal itching.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a slow progressing destruction of airways caused by gradual loss of lung function. It's a combination of various lung diseases. In COPD, two lung diseases, namely chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the main diseases. Other diseases like asthmatic bronchitis and bullous disease are also present. This disease is common among the older women in America. On a whole, about 11% of the American population suffers from COPD. According to researches, it kills 85,000 people in the US every year and it is the fourth leading cause of death.

Smoking is the primary cause of COPD. Passive smoking can also lead to COPD. The effects of smoking on the lungs can be severe and permanent. Smoking causes irreversible damage to the lung tissues and causes inflammation of the lungs. This inflammation stops only when the smoking is stopped. The cigarette manufacturing companies add some chemicals to cigarettes for various reasons that block the production of alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), which maintain the elastic fibers of the alveoli. This in turn destroys the walls of the lungs, which makes the process of breathing very difficult.

Other causes that lead to COPD are industrial pollution, occupational dusts, continuous contact with hazardous chemicals, outdoors air pollution, etc. In some cases, parents pass on the genes to their children. In some rare cases, COPD is found in people suffering from a gene-related disorder called alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. Alpha 1 antitrypsin is a protein that inactivates the destructive proteins in the blood. The absence or the low level of alpha 1 antitrypsin in these people leads to the destruction of lungs and ultimately to COPD.

As the disease intensifies, the patients suffering from COPD will find it difficult to breathe. Their difficulty may vary according to the changing weather. They sometimes require hospitalization.

Prevention is the best medicine for COPD. There is no cure. All the medications for COPD are directed towards reducing the intensity of the disease. So, it is wiser for all of us to take steps to prevent this disease.