Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease refers to airflow obstruction that is not reversible. Usually, COPD is a combination of two disease states: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Chronic bronchitis is recognized when there is increase in mucus production and chronic cough for at least 3 months in the last 2 years. Emphysema is simply the destruction of the normal lung tissue.

COPD is more commom in males and the first symptoms are usually seen in individuals older than 40 years. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

Here's a list of the risk factors for COPD:

1. Active or passive Smoking
2. Severe viral pneumonia early in life
3. Aging (especially over 60 years old)
4. Alcohol consumption
5. Airway hyperactivity (asthma)
6. Repeated childhood respiratory illnesses
7. Air pollution
8. Occupational exposure to airway irritants (firefighters, miners)

Patients with COPD develop the following signs and symptoms: coughing, sputum production, frequent infections, shortness of breath, bloody sputum, morning headaches, blue discoloration of the skin (fingers and lips most common).

The most important preventive measure is to stop smoking. Early disease detection can also be very useful in preserving the remaining lung function.

There is no treatment that can actually reverse the disease. Treatment therapy is solely aimed at preserving the remaining lung tissue. It has been proven that smoking cessation, good pulmonary hygiene, maintaining an adequate hydration and prompt treatment of any infections will significantly reduce the progression of the disease.

In severe cases, oxygen supplementation, pulmonary rehabilitation, steroids and B2 agonist drugs can be very helpful in controlling the symptoms.