What Is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or
COPD, refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes
emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and, in some cases,
asthma.
In the United States, tobacco use is a key factor in the development and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, asthma, exposure to air pollutants in the home and workplace, genetic factors, and respiratory infections also play a role. In the developing world, indoor air quality is thought to play a larger role in the development and progression of the disease than it does in the United States.
Symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease symptoms typically include:
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing.
Often, symptoms may suddenly get worse. The severity depends on how much of the lung has been destroyed; if you continue to smoke, the lung destruction is faster than if you stop smoking.
To diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, your healthcare provider will likely ask you about your family and personal history and perform a physical exam. You may be asked to have pulmonary function tests, which find out:
- The amount of air in the lung (called lung volume)
- The rate of oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange
- The amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood.
Lung volumes are measured by breathing in and out of a device called a spirometer.
Researchers are still looking for a way to figure out a person's chances of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, because none of the current tests can find the disease before irreparable lung damage occurs.
Treatment for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requires a careful and thorough evaluation by a physician. The most important aspect of treatment is avoiding tobacco smoke and removing other air pollutants from the home or workplace. Symptoms such as coughing or wheezing can be treated with medication. Respiratory infections should be treated with antibiotics, if appropriate. Patients who have low blood oxygen levels are often given supplemental oxygen.
For individuals with severe symptoms, lung transplants may be an option. Lung volume reduction surgery (different types of surgeries that remove part of the lung) also is showing promise for some individuals in the last
stages of emphysema.
Early detection of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease might alter its course and progress. A simple test can be used to measure pulmonary function and detect the disease in current and former smokers aged 45 and over, as well as anyone with respiratory problems. Avoiding tobacco smoke, home and workplace air pollutants, and respiratory infections are key to preventing the initial development of
COPD.
Statistics on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a leading cause of death, illness, and disability in the United States. In the United States, an estimated 10 million adults were diagnosed with
COPD in 2000, but data from a national health survey suggests that as many as 24 million Americans are affected. In 2000, 119,000 deaths, 726,000 hospitalizations, and 1.5 million hospital emergency department visits were caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
