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COPD Fact SheetCOPD treatment at UK HealthCare What is COPD? Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a large group of lung diseases that damage the lungs, making it hard to breathe. In COPD, the airway tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs are partly obstructed, making it difficult for air to flow. Most people with COPD have emphysema and chronic bronchitis. With emphysema, the walls between many tiny air sacs are destroyed, leading to a few large air sacs. Healthy lungs look like a sponge with many tiny, evenly spaced holes. Emphysema destroys the walls between air sacs leaving the lungs more like a sponge with large bubbles. The smaller number of large air sacs have less surface area than many smaller air sacs. That smaller surface area leads to a poor balance exchange of oxygen and CO2 causing shortness of breath. With chronic bronchitis, your lung airways become inflamed and thickened with an increase in the number and size of mucus-producing cells. This results in excessive mucus production, which contributes to coughing and difficulty breathing. COPD in Kentucky Each day, approximately 150 Kentuckians are hospitalized for respiratory diseases including COPD. In 1997, the state's COPD death rate was the fifth highest in the nation. In Kentucky, COPD is more prevalent in women and the elderly. Symptoms A cough that doesn't go away and coughing up mucus, common symptoms of COPD, often occur years before breathing becomes difficult. However, not everyone with a cough and mucus production develops COPD, and not everyone with COPD has a cough. Wheezing and chest tightness are also symptoms, along with shortness of breath, especially while exercising. What causes COPD? Long-term and heavy smoking is the most frequent cause of COPD. Approximately 80 to 90 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking. However, asthma, exposure to air pollutants in the home and workplace and a history of respiratory infections are also causes of COPD. Age and genetic factors also play a role in the development of COPD. Diagnosing and treating COPD Although there are no tests to detect COPD in the early stages, there are several ways health providers can evaluate patients for COPD. A simple test can be used to measure lung function and detect COPD. A spirometry (speh-ROM-eh-tree) test can confirm a diagnosis of COPD. This test is easy, painless and determines how well your lungs work. Treatment of COPD requires a careful and thorough evaluation by a physician. The most important aspect of treatment is avoiding tobacco smoke and removing other air pollutants from the home or workplace. Although there is no cure for COPD, lifestyle changes and medical treatment can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Facts about COPD
To find out more: UK HealthCare COPD Clinic
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute National Lung Health Education Program American Lung Association |
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