Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Causes

Currently there is no cure. However, medications are available and can treat the symptoms and complications associated with the disease. The best alternative is a lifestyle change to minimise the progression of the condition.

What are the main causes of COPD?

Smoking is the main culprit in most chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cases. Smoking damages the lining of the airways of the lungs which become inflamed and damaged. Another cause is air pollution including polluted word conditions.

Smoking will cause damage to a smoker's airways. Once these airways are damaged it cannot be reversed. So if you smoke , quitting is the single most important step a smoker can take. When you quit or stop smoking, you will make a huge difference to the rate at which your disease progresses. It can help to prevent the progression of the condition.

Diagnosis:

There are four ways your doctor will use to determine if you suffering from COPD or showing symptoms of the disease:

• check if you have cough, excessive sputum and breathlessness

• check if you have risk factors for developing the disease example smoking and exposure to environmental toxins or highly polluted environment

• Another method that your doctor will use is using the Spirometer. The Spirometer is the most important tool used the confirm the disease. It can detect the disease in the early stages even when a person does not have any of the symptoms. A patient will be asked to blow hard into the Spirometer and the readings will help to confirm the presence of the disease and assess it severity. The test is also used to monitor a patient's progress over time and review the effectiveness of treatment.

• Chest X-ray is another method used to rule out other symptoms or conditions which may seem like COLD. It is also useful in detecting the complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, chest X-ray by itself cannot confirm the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Symptoms:

COPD symptoms includes a strong cough, wheezing, tightness in the chest, recurrent respiratory infections, impaired exercise tolerance and phlegm production.It is in most cases connected to heavy smoking. Coughing and heavy wheezing patients are often faced with the accusation that they have them self to thanks for the condition. Due to this, a lot of people with this diagnosis is ashamed and are trying to hide their problems.

Treatment:

Prevention is the best medicine for COPD. There is no cure. All the medications for COPD are directed towards reducing the intensity of the disease. So, it is wiser for all of us to take steps to prevent this disease.

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