COPD stands for “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease”. COPD is a progressive lung disease. “Progressive” means that it gets worse over time. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are 2 diseases that are part of COPD.
In COPD, the airways of the lungs become inflamed making them narrow and clogged with mucus. This makes it difficult to get air in and out of the lungs which leads to breathing difficulties. It causes serious long-term disability and early death.
*American Lung Association - lung.org
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease, affecting 15.3 million Americans, and the number is growing. It may cause serious long-term disability and early death. The most significant risk factor for COPD is long-term cigarette smoking. There's no cure, but COPD can be prevented and treated.
People can live with COPD for many years through medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation and social support.
Typical signs of COPD are shortness of breath, coughing and sputum production. Male smokers over the age of 60 are most affected by COPD. However, the proportion of women is rising significantly.
Common symptoms include:
Smoking cessation, a healthy diet, and exercise can all help slow disease progression. A central component of the treatment for COPD are inhaled medications that are delivered directly to the lungs. A nebulizer is commonly used in treating COPD.
The main reason chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) develops is smoking. The risk of getting COPD depends on smoking duration and how much a person smokes.
Non-smokers have a lower risk of developing COPD, but other harmful substances or a family predisposition can contribute to someone developing COPD.
Spirometry is the test to diagnose COPD or to confirm a person has COPD. It measures how much and how fast air can move in and out of the lungs.
If the airflow out of the lungs is reduced significantly, a person likely has COPD.
Spirometry can find problems even before a person has symptoms of COPD. It also helps determine the severity of COPD.
The goals of COPD therapy are to control the symptoms, avoid complications, reduce the frequency of attacks and slow down the progression of the disease. Improving lung function and physical performance to improve quality of life are also very important.
Treatments for COPD include medications that open up the constricted airways and decrease inflammation in the lung. These medications can be delivered by a nebulizer, dry powder inhaler (DPI) or metered dose inhaler (MDI).
Treatments also focus on clearing the lungs of mucus, such as breathing exercises, or devices that make it easier to clear the mucus from the lungs.
If you've been diagnosed with COPD, it is possible to continue to do many of the activities you currently enjoy. There are steps you can take to best manage your COPD. Start by consulting with your physician and healthcare team to determine the best approach to treat your COPD. Your best chance of success is with the support and help of others.
Numerous studies have shown that smoking is the main cause for developing COPD. About 90% of those affected by COPD currently smoke or have a smoking history. This is why giving up smoking is the first and most important step for all people with COPD.
Another important component of managing COPD is exercise and breathing exercises. Work with your doctor to develop a program of exercise that is right for you. Special exercises to strengthen your chest muscles can improve your breathing. Aerobic exercise, such as walking and riding a bike, is very important for increasing your stamina, and improving your ability to do daily activities.
PARI devices have been used in key clinical trials to gain FDA approval for important COPD therapies.
To stay healthy and control symptoms, people with COPD can manage their disease by following a regular treatment routine that includes airway clearance, oral and inhaled medications, a fitness plan and nutritional therapies.
As experts in inhalation therapy, PARI's innovative products deliver important inhaled medications to help those with COPD.
*American Lung Association - lung.org
The contents of the PARI Site, such as text, graphics, images, and other material contained on the PARI Site ("Content") are for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the PARI Site!
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately. PARI does not recommend or endorse any specific tests, physicians, procedures, opinions, or other information that may be mentioned on the Site. Reliance on any information provided by PARI, PARI employees, others appearing on the Site at the invitation of PARI, or other visitors to the Site is solely at your own risk.
