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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of long-term (chronic) lung diseases that makes it hard to breathe. In COPD, airflow through the airways leading to and within the lungs (bronchial tubes) is partially blocked, resulting in difficulty breathing. As the disease gets worse, breathing becomes more difficult, and it may become hard to carry out everyday activities. Although COPD can be managed, it cannot be cured at this time. COPD is often a mix of two diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In chronic bronchitis, inflammation occurs in the bronchial tubes. The inflammation may narrow these tubes, which makes it hard to breathe. You may also have a chronic cough that brings up mucus (sputum).
In emphysema, lung tissue and the tiny air sacs (alveoli) at the end of the airways in the lungs are damaged. When these tiny air sacs are damaged, air is trapped in the lungs. This leads to shortness of breath. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) People with COPD, especially those who have chronic bronchitis, may have a rapid, sometimes sudden, and prolonged worsening of symptoms (cough, amount of mucus, and/or shortness of breath). This is called a COPD exacerbation. It can be mild to life-threatening, and you may have to go to the hospital. COPD may also lead to a lung infection such as pneumonia, depression, weight loss, and a heart problem called cor pulmonale. COPD develops over many years (sometimes 10 to 30 years) and is most common in people over the age of 60. How severe the condition is and how quickly it progresses varies from person to person. COPD is sometimes called chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) or chronic airflow obstruction (CAO). What causes COPD?COPD is most often caused by smoking. Nearly everyone with COPD (80% to 90%) has been a long-term smoker, and research supports the fact that smoking cigarettes increases the risk of developing COPD.1 At least 10% to 15% of long-term smokers develop COPD with symptoms; some studies indicate up to 50% of long-term smokers older than age 45 develop COPD.2 This may be in part due to inherited factors (genes) and exposure factors that can affect your risk of developing COPD.1 Other lung irritants that are inhaled over a long period of time梥uch as industrial dust and chemical fumes梐re also thought to cause COPD. Other factors that may make you more likely to develop COPD include a family history of COPD, a low birth weight, and repeated lung infections. The most common causes of COPD exacerbations are lung infections, such as acute bronchitis or pneumonia, and air pollution. A viral infection may also cause a COPD exacerbation.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) How is it treated?Although there is no cure for COPD at this time, it can be managed. Treatment focuses on slowing the progression of the disease and relieving symptoms. The only way to reliably slow the progression of the disease is to stop smoking. Medications are used long-term on a daily basis to ease and prevent symptoms, and as needed for short-term relief of symptoms. A pulmonary rehabilitation program that includes counseling, education, exercise, breathing exercises, and nutritional guidance may also help reduce your symptoms, improve your quality of life, and reduce COPD exacerbations. Oxygen therapy may be needed when oxygen levels in the blood are low. Treatment of a COPD exacerbation depends on its severity. It may involve a visit to your health professional's office or clinic, or it may require that you go to the hospital. Treatment may include medications to make it easier to breathe and reduce inflammation, machines to help you breathe (ventilators), oxygen therapy, and antibiotics to cure infections. Treatment for COPD is becoming more and more successful at controlling the disease's symptoms. However, COPD is a progressive and potentially fatal disease. You and your health professional should discuss what types of medical treatment you want to receive if sudden, life-threatening breathing problems develop, such as whether you want to receive mechanical ventilation. This discussion may include the possibility of your creating an advance directive to state your wishes if you become unable to communicate them. 2011-06-30
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