COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD, is a chronic lung disease which makes breathing difficult. With COPD the lungs are damaged in the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs. This obstruction makes it difficult to get breathe. Smoking cigarette is the most common cause of COPD. However breathing in other lung irritants, like pollution, dust, or chemicals over a long period of time may also contribute to COPD.

In the lungs the airways branch out like a tree and at the end of each branch are small air sacs. Normally these small elastic airways are clear and open. When you breathe in each air sac fills up with air similar to a tiny balloon then when you breathe out the balloon deflates. For people with COPD the airways and air sacs lose their shape and strength. With COPD less air gets in and out of the airways and air sacs causing them to lose elasticity. The walls between the air sacs get destroyed and become thick and inflamed. Also the cells in the airways make more mucus than usual and further clogs.

Currently there is no cure for COPD. The damage to your airways and lungs cannot be reversed, but there are things you can do to feel better and slow the damage to your lungs. Medications and pulmonary rehabilitation often help you breathe more easily so you can stay active. Bronchodilators work by relaxing the muscles around your airways which helps open your airways quickly to make breathing easier. There are 2 types Bronchodilators short acting and long acting. Short acting bronchodilators only last 4 to 6 hours and are just used when needed. Long acting bronchodilators last about 12 hours and are used every day. Bronchodilator are inhaled, so they go directly into your lungs where they are needed.

Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis are 2 types of COPD. With emphysema the walls between the air sacs are destroyed. This leads to a few large air sacs instead of many tiny ones.These few large air sacs have less surface area than the many tiny ones. This smaller surface compromises the exchange of oxygen to carbon dioxide in the lungs, which causes shortness of breath. With chronic bronchitis the airways become inflamed and thickened. This causes an increase in the number and size of the mucus-producing cells and excessive mucus production which contributes to coughing and difficulty getting air in and out of the lungs.