Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a disease that affects the lungs. It makes it hard for people to breath and progressively gets worse over time. In normal lungs, air goes down the windpipe and into the airways or bronchial tubes. Airways in the lungs branch out and at the end of these branches are alveoli. Airways and sacs in the lungs are elastic and expand in or out every time someone breathes in and out.
When someone has COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways. This is caused from air sacs losing their elasticity. A second reason for less air flow is the walls become destroyed between the air sacs or the airways can become inflamed. Last, excessive mucous is produced, which clogs the airways.

Causes

• There are many causes as to why someone can develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The main cause of COPD is smoking. Cigarette smoke is full of chemicals and coats the lungs with tar. Over time, these chemicals and tar damage the airways. Secondhand smoke also plays a factor in developing COPD. Other causes of the disease is breathing in chemical fumes or dust from the workplace or environment.
  A genetic disorder may also play a factor in COPD. The liver makes a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin. Smoke and other irritants can cause lung damage in an individual with an alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Those at Risk

• Those at risk of developing this disease are first and foremost people who smoke. Many people who develop COPD smoke or have smoked in the past. Also, people who have someone in their family with COPD may run the risk of developing it as well. Factory workers who were exposed to harmful irritants and chemical fumes are at risk of developing COPD. People who have COPD may not experience their first symptoms until the age of 40.

Symptoms

• Not everyone who has COPD will show signs. One of the major signs is a constant cough. This cough is often followed with mucous. Another symptom is shortness of breath. The lungs are not able to get enough airflow in them. This becomes more noticeable with physical activity like walking or climbing stairs. A person can start to develop swelling if COPD is severe enough. This normally happens in the ankles, feet and legs. Sometimes nails and lips get a bluish tent to them because of the lack of oxygen. These symptoms will worsen overtime.

Treatment

• As of right now there is no known cure for COPD. There are, however, treatments and lifestyle changes that can be done to slow down chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smokers should quit. There are programs and medications that can help those who want to quit smoking. Medications like bronchodilators, may also be given to treat COPD. These medications open up the airways allowing air flow. Another treatment is oxygen therapy. A person is given oxygen through a mask or nasal prong. This helps the oxygen levels in your blood. In severe cases of COPD, a lung transplant may be performed.

When To Seek Help

• When COPD worsens it can cause serious problems. Weight loss and low muscle endurance is a sure sign that someone needs help and a doctor's evaluation is recommended. More severe problems will cause hospitalization. Severe symptoms include being unable to catch your breath, rapid heartbeat, lips and fingernails turn gray. Emergency help should be notified when someone becomes unresponsive.