Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the collective term for a number of lung diseases that prevent proper breathing. Two of the most common types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Cigarette smoking is the most significant risk factor for COPD.
Risk factors for chronic respiratory diseases include tobacco smoking (including second-hand smoke), air pollution, allergens and occupational risks. Outdoor air pollution and indoor air pollution (often caused by cooking with solid fuels) are also common causes.
Various forms of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure, are the most common and most notable COPD comorbidities, because they have a significant impact on mortality.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a number of lung diseases that prevent proper breathing. Three of the most common COPD conditions are emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma that isn't fully reversible. These conditions can occur separately or together.
There are two main forms of COPD: Chronic bronchitis, which involves a long-term cough with mucus. Emphysema, which involves damage to the lungs over time.
Respiratory failure is considered the major cause of death in advanced COPD.
COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people do not realise they have it. The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control.
While tobacco smoke is the primary cause, 1 in 4 people with COPD have never smoked. Air pollutants at home (secondhand smoke), at work (fumes), and genetics can also cause COPD. Symptoms include chronic or smoker's cough, chronic phlegm production, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
The most common complication of COPD is an exacerbation, or flare-up, in which respiratory symptoms suddenly worsen.
Although asthma and COPD have many similarities, they also have many differences. COPD is not asthma. Asthma is not COPD.
Common symptoms of COPD include: An ongoing cough or a cough that produces a lot of mucus, sometimes called smoker's cough. This is often the first symptom of COPD. Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity.
COPD can get worse from an infection (such as a cold or pneumonia), from being around someone who is smoking, or from air pollution. Other health problems, such as congestive heart failure or a blood clot in the lungs, can make COPD worse. Sometimes no cause can be found.
Although COPD is terminal, people may not always die of the condition directly, or of oxygen deprivation. Some people with COPD have other medical conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease. In fact, within 5 years of diagnosis, COPD is also an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death.
Many people will live into their 70s, 80s, or 90s with COPD.” But that's more likely, he says, if your case is mild and you don't have other health problems like heart disease or diabetes. Some people die earlier as a result of complications like pneumonia or respiratory failure.
Which has worse symptoms? Because emphysema is a late stage of COPD, the signs and symptoms are similar. If you have emphysema, you are already experiencing COPD symptoms, though earlier stages of COPD will not have as dramatic an impact as the degree of tissue degeneration is minimal.
Regular, heavy drinking can damage the immune system and the lungs. This may increase a person's risk for COPD. If a person has COPD or is at risk for the disease, they should consider staying away from alcohol.
There are four distinct stages of COPD: mild, moderate, severe, and very severe. Your physician will determine your stage based on results from a breathing test called a spirometry, which assesses lung function by measuring how much air you can breathe in and out and how quickly and easily you can exhale.
Sleeping on your side is considered the best position for keeping airways open. You'll also want to keep your head propped up with a pillow. Not only is sleeping on your side the best position for COPD; it also will make sleeping with COPD much more comfortable.
COPD has been found to be associated with increased sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk in the community.
End-stage, or stage IV, COPD is the final stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Most people reach it after years of living with the disease and the lung damage it causes. As a result, your quality of life is low. You'll have frequent exacerbations, or flares – one of which could be fatal.
Especially if your COPD is diagnosed early, if you have mild stage COPD, and your disease is well managed and controlled, you may be able to live for 10 or even 20 years after diagnosis.
Don't spend time around lung irritants.
Since people with COPD have more sensitive lungs, being around any type of irritant can make the condition worse. Avoid things like secondhand smoke, air pollution, dust and fumes from chemicals, paint or cleaning products, as well as mold and mildew.