Coping with COPD!!

Apart from presenting with highly distressing symptoms, COPD is also known to cause complications like:-

* Respiratory Infections:– Since the lung tissues are inflamed and weakened, thus are more prone to infections like common    cold, flu and pneumonia. Thus, it is advisable to take annual flu vaccinations and pneumococcal vaccinations.

* Lung Cancer:– Both COPD and lung cancer have the same predisposing factor, i.e., smoking. Cessation of smoking can    reduce the risks of both.

* Hypertension:– COPD, is known to cause pulmonary hypertension rather than systemic hypertension. Pulmonary vascular    remodeling in COPD is the main cause of increase in pulmonary artery pressure and is thought to result from the combined    effects of hypoxia, inflammation and loss of capillaries in severe emphysema.

* Heart Problems:– It is not known to directly cause heart diseases, but it worsens the conditions, reducing the survival.

* Depression:– Chronic diseases, drain out the person in all aspects mentally and physically.

   COPD is diagnosed with the help of; Lung function test, which is predominantly spirometry it measures the air inhaled and exhaled through our lungs, these are reduced. Chest X-ray and CT scan shows emphysema.

  The main-stone of the treatment is smoking cessation. Bronchodilators are used to dilate the airways, to relieve shortness of breath, usually administered as inhalers. Inhaled or oral corticosteroid medications can reduce airway inflammation and help prevent exacerbations. Frequently antibiotics are used for the treatment of respiratory infections. 

-Koya Satyasri