Have you been feeling difficulty while breathing; do you smoke or have a history with smoking? There are many lung diseases associated with smoking. However, smoking may not be a sole reason for all lung diseases. Besides, the world has a plethora of illnesses and ailments pertaining to lungs and breathing.
COPD, also referred to as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease has become a common talk, alongside a living challenge for those who are suffering from it. While obstructive breathing may make you think of it as COPD, however, it is essential to know the disease before ruling it out or assuming it to be the cause of your pulmonary difficulties.
Let’s study what COPD is, the causes of this ailment, the symptoms it displays and tips on dealing with it.
What is COPD?
COPD is a pulmonary disease which causes obstructive breathing. It is an inflammatory disease that causes obstruction in the airflow as the affected person breathes. The disease is also thought to be as a group of progressive lung diseases that make it difficult to breathe.
Symptoms of COPD
To be sure if you are really suffering from COPD, consider the list of symptoms mentioned below.
- Shortness of Breath
Individuals with such condition are more likely to have shortness of breath than the rest. Understand that occasional or by-chance shortness of breath due to exercise is different. In this condition, having difficulty breathing is your all-time companion. - Chronic Cough
One of the most common symptoms of COPD is chronic cough. Generally a spell of cough is likely to last for a week. However, individuals with COPD have a chronic cough condition in which they keep coughing from time to time. - Wheezing
This highlights people with COPD from healthy individuals. Although wheezing can occur due to other factors as well. However, one of the most common symptoms of COPD is wheezing. Making a whistling sound during breathing is referred to as wheezing. - Chest Tightness
A sudden tightness in chest, having difficulty in breathing due to it and a subtle pain in the same region is an early indication of the possibility of an individual having COPD. - Excess Mucus
Sputum production is considered as one of the major signs of COPD. If you produce mucus (sputum), then it might be an alarming sign that you developed COPD.
What Causes COPD?
People generally consider smoking as the sole cause of COPD. However, smoking is not the only reason why you might have developed this condition. Genetics and environmental factors do play their part in leading individuals to develop this disease over the passage of time.
Tips to Help Keep COPD under Control
- Quit smoking
- Stay active
- Adopt healthy diet
- Medication adherence
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Avoid lung irritants
- Stay hydrated
- Manage stress
- Vaccinations
- Home oxygen therapy
When is COPD an Emergency?
If you feel a sudden tightness in chest which is followed by pain, and your lips and fingers have turned blue, it is a warning sign for you to reach out to an emergency hospital as soon as you can.
Emergency Hospital Systems network of hospitals have experts in pulmonary medicine who are trained well to deal with such an emergency 24/7. Save their contact number (281) 592-5410 to get help from them immediately.