What the Heck is COPD Anyway?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; commonly known as COPD is caused by a simultaneous occurrence of bronchitis and emphysema. I have to admit, I had no idea what COPD stood for. I've heard the commercials for years and got the basic 'gist' of it but really wasn't sure. Something I started to become sure of however, was that whatever it was I was probably getting it!

Emphysema is the result of tiny air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, becoming overstretched. Their thin walls tear, resulting in loss of lung tissue and elasticity. The lungs cannot expand or contract fully, and so become less efficient.

Bronchitis usually means `chronic bronchitis' which is long term inflammation of the airways, or bronchi. Bronchitis and emphysema are usually caused by inhaled irritants, usually caused by cigarette smoke in 85% of cases, and chemicals and pollutants in the remaining 15%.

Inflammation of the bronchi causes excess production of sputum, which the patient has to cough up, through narrowed damaged airways. As the lungs become increasingly damaged, shortness of breath develops. Moderate exertion such as climbing stairs become a problem, but as the condition worsens so does gasping for air!! For many sufferers, simple tasks such as washing or shaving cause marked shortness of breath, and eventually fighting for breath occurs even at rest.

The condition cannot be cured! However, further deterioration can be prevented by the patient stopping smoking. Difficulty in breathing can be eased by using inhalers or nebulisers. Inhaled steroids like Becotide, are useful in reducing inflammation of the air tubes. Many patients need to have oxygen several times a day.

Recurring chest infections, worsening shortness of breath and wheeziness lead to respiratory failure, where the heart and lungs just `give in' and the patient dies!

Help for bronchitis sufferers:
*Stop smoking, otherwise your condition will deteriorate rapidly.

*Use a peak flow meter. You blow into this gadget to test how `narrowed' your tubes have become. These meters can be obtained on prescription.

*Avoid beta blockers, as these can make bronchitis (and asthma) worse.

*Keep your weight down.

*Avoid dust, fumes and polluted air.

*Get chest infections treated promptly with antibiotics.

*Get vaccinated against `flu' every year before winter.

*Take inhalers and tablets regularly, as instructed by your doctor.

And finally, sufferers with CODP should blow up a balloon 20 times at the end of each day. This has been shown to bring about nearly a 20% improvement, in the patients lung capacity. They also felt better and had less episodes of breathlessness!!