Wissam Abouzgheib, MD
Head, Interventional Pulmonary Medicine
Cooper University Health Care
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease of the lungs that makes it difficult for patients suffering with it to breathe. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are included in COPD. COPD’s main feature is narrowed airways that result in air becoming trapped inside the lungs, which become hyperinflated. According to the American Lung Association, more than 15.3 million people suffer from COPD and it is the third leading cause of disease-related death in the United States. COPD causes serious long-term disability and early death.
When they first present, COPD symptoms can be very mild. As time progresses, the symptoms can become worse. Things to look out for are an ongoing cough, coughing up mucus, shortness of breath, trouble breathing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and many other symptoms that make everyday tasks more difficult. People suffering with COPD may have trouble getting dressed, walking up stairs, or performing any type of physical exertion because of the symptoms caused by their COPD.
Smoking is the leading cause of COPD; however, it is still possible for patients who have never smoked to have COPD. Other common causes of COPD are exposure to pollution and chemical fumes. While there is no cure for COPD, it is often preventable and can be treated. To avoid developing COPD, do not smoke, stop smoking if you do, and stay away from all other toxic fumes that could affect the lungs.
Treatment for COPD can be handled through a pulmonologist, a doctor who specializes in treating lung disorders. Depending on the severity of the COPD, treatment options range from an inhaler to surgery. Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction is a newer treatment option available to some sufferers of COPD. This minimally invasive procedure accesses the lungs through the mouth or nose using a bronchoscope. Endobronchial valves are placed in the airways to block any diseased portion of the lung and reduce hyperinflation, which decreases shortness of breath and improves overall quality of life.
Receiving proper treatment and changing daily habits can benefit the patient in the long run, and make life with COPD a little easier. A simple lifestyle change to relieve stress on the lungs is putting items that are used often in an easy-to-reach spot or moving items to the first floor of a residence to avoid excess trips up and down the stairs. These little changes decrease the stress put on the lungs, making it easier for the patient to breathe.