COPD - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

The COPD is an umbrella term for chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema - permanent, progressive respiratory diseases (also known as: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), thus characterized are exhaling impeded due to constriction of the bronchial tubes. In the course of a destruction of the lung tissue is then. This increasingly impair gas exchange and gets into the organism no longer sufficient oxygen.

Causes of COPD

The COPD is result of cigarette smoking - hence the colloquial term smoker Lung in around 9 out of 10 cases. Other causes such as. Infections or air pollution and occupational risk factors (dust, chemicals) can promote a COPD. Severity and course of the disease are also dependent on genetic factors.

In rare cases, a congenital disorder is based: the AAT deficiency. It is missing an important enzyme, the Alpha-1-antitrypsin (also: Alpha-1-Proteinasen inhibitor), which protects the sensitive pulmonary alveoli from harmful substances. Missing this fabric or works poorly, are the alveoli and Airways is constantly attacked by inhaled substances and progressively destroyed. Those involved, the complaints show but mostly at younger age (25-30).

Symptoms of COPD

Main characteristics of the disease are chronic cough in the morning mainly, discharge and increasing shortness of breath, especially when load - in advanced stages are impossible even short distances. In the course of the disease, the Airways narrow increasingly and it impeded breathing. Especially on the exhale, the air flow is restricted. Over the years, a feeling of "excess flatulence" the lungs developed in addition to the shortness of breath. The person concerned has the oppressive feeling constantly the last reserves of his lungs to breathe.

Other than asthma, COPD noiselessly comes - the disease develops over years or decades. Typical signs of asthma is, however, a sudden onset breathlessness. Asthma and COPD are connected while both with a narrowing of the Airways, but two different diseases which are treated differently.

Diagnosis

Any cough that lasts for longer than eight weeks, may indicate on a COPD, especially if the patient smokes: risk group are longtime smokers over 40 years, suffering from shortness of breath with strain, cough and discharge (AHA symptoms). The doctor will be mostly already the presumptive diagnosis of COPD from the described symptoms and medical history, secured mainly with the so called spirometry. This study allows you to assess the lung function by measuring the tidal volume, that can be exhaled in one second strongest effort after a maximum deep inhalation.

Even if the therapy can eliminate the cause, early diagnosis and therefore a timely treatment of COPD is important, so that the disease has not progressed. Early treatment is the fact that a COPD sometimes leads to considerable physical and social limitations for those affected and often to an increased mortality rate. Also the risk of cardiac disease is greatly increased.

Treatment of COPD

There is not a causal therapy of COPD to date. This means: the disease is not to cure, but you can slow down the progress and positive influence on acute deterioration. The aim of each treatment are better lung function, less shortness of breath and increased load capacity.

The most important measure is the smoking cessation to stop the slow decline in lung function. Physical exercise or pharmacological training also represent basic measures. It is still essential that the persons concerned under the guidance of learning how they can positively affect their breathing in everyday life. These include facilitating breathing techniques (lip brake, certain postures, coughing techniques) in peace, but under the conditions. To the drug therapy are mainly Bronchodilators (expand the Airways) and cortisone preparations (for inflammation) used to inhale.

Information on self help

1. The complaints seem to have often "banal". The typical symptoms of coughing and discharge be trivialized like patients.
2. An airway obstruction is not created from today to tomorrow, but over a long period of time. An asthma patient surrounded his lifestyle very quickly after an attack, however, COPD patients adapt to smoking, the complaints, without the causal evil, to give up.
3. So-called avoidance strategies are developed because of the shortness of breath. Although physical activity is important, people increasingly restrict their travel and everyday life is then mainly while sitting.
4. COPD patients have often already many attempts behind it, smoking to give up and are partly discouraged. Therefore lack the insight and a real effort to change the lifestyle and give up smoking.

Therefore, the parties concerned need information:

1. Knowledge of the disease, as well as effects of air pollution
2. Self control such as peak-Flowmetrie, run a leverage diary (available at the German League of breath way)
3. Information in dealing with hazardous situations (E.g. stays at high altitude, air travel, certain sports)
4. Sports and training therapy, because appropriate physical training leads to an increase in the performance of
5. A structured patient training for improving the ability of self management.

Share this :