Understanding COPD and the Long Term Complications

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. In other words, it is a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe.

But do you know that COPD is also characterized by the permanent or partially reversible restriction of airflow. It suggests there are things we can do to reverse the condition.

COPD is likely to increase in coming years due to higher smoking prevalence and aging populations in many countries. Many cases of COPD are preventable by avoidance or early cessation of smoking.

“300 million individuals worldwide have COPD.”

With COPD, any damage done to the lungs cannot be undone. Unlike, say, the liver where tissue can regenerate itself after injury, the lungs have little capacity for self-repair.

Improvement and Reversibility of COPD – Know the Difference

To most of us it is known that quitting smoking can improve individual’s ability to breathe even at the later stages of COPD. But this has nothing to do with the fact that lungs have healed. What actually happens is that the removal of smoke prevents the inflammation that causes excessive production of mucus. Stopping doesn’t restore the elasticity of lungs it simply avoids further damage to the lungs.

“Reversibility” may be applied if you have less need for a bronchodilator or steroid inhaler. But it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll no longer need an inhaler. That will depend largely on how much damage has already been done.

Treatment of COPD – Managing It Well

The main objective of the COPD treatment and management depends on two factors:

Ensure you have the optimal respiratory capacity based on current state of the lungs,
Slow down the progression of the COPD by treating the causes of inflammation

You can achieve these goals in many ways:
Lifestyle changes – quitting cigarettes, improved diet and regular exercises.
Avoiding environmental triggers – second-hand smoke, heavy perfumes, paint fumes, pet dander, mold, cleaning products, etc.
COPD Treatment adherence – proper use of inhalers, antibiotics, etc.
An annual flu shot – can reduce the risk of illness and death in people with COPD by around 50 percent.

FOR MORE COPD TREATMENT OPTIONS – Pulmonary Rehabilitation – COPD Treatment in Ahmedabad

Wrapping Up…

While COPD is not curable, it can be treated and controlled. By taking necessary precautions and steps to care for your lungs, you can reduce your risk of illness and incapacitation over the long term. All it takes is to start today.

Still having questions about how to treat COPD? You can consult Swastik Hospital for the best COPD treatment doctor in Ahmedabad.