Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Submitted by Emma Hamilton on Fri, 01/05/2009 - 8:17pm

COPD or chronic obstructive lung disease is a term used to describe a number of lung conditions that over time cause difficulty breathing. People with COPD often have emphysema, chronic bronchitis or both.

In Australia approximately 1 in 5 people aged over 40 live with COPD. Many are not aware they have the condition (Australian Lung Foundation, 2009).

People living with COPD experience shortness of breath as their airways are partially blocked. Undertaking simple daily tasks can be hard for people living with COPD as they struggle for a breath.

Whilst COPD symptoms can be managed, there is no cure for COPD. Risk factors for COPD include smoking, exposure to dust, fumes and family history. Importantly damage to the lungs can be slowed by quitting smoking.

COPD symptoms

People with COPD are usually smokers or people with a history of smoking. Symptoms of COPD are often overlooked as they develop slowly and get worse over time.

Many older people wrongly assume their shortness of breath is a part of the ageing process.

People living with COPD often find it hard to do things that were previously easy to do. Taking a shower, getting dressed or doing light housework can be tiresome for people with COPD.

Symptoms of COPD include:

Shortness of breath
Repetitive cough accompanied by phelgm/mucus most days
Difficulty taking a deep breath

Symptoms of COPD can range from mild to severe depending on the extent of lung damage and disease progression. If you are worried you may have signs of COPD talk to your doctor.

COPD causes

When we breath in, air travels through the nose and mouth via tubes called bronchi that deliver air to the left and right lung. These bronchi branch out in the lung to even smaller tubes called bronchioles.

Eventually air reaches tiny sacs called alveoli where oxygen and carbon dioxide are exchanged. Normally these sacs are healthy and elastic inflating when we breathe air in and returning back to size when we exhale.

COPD damages the sacs making it harder to breathe sufficient air in and out.

COPD also causes the airways to lose shape, swell and fill up with mucus making it more difficult to breathe disrupting the amount of oxygen reaching the airways.

Common causes of COPD include emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema - This lung condition causes inflammation of the walls of the alveoli (air sacs). Damage to the fragile walls of the alveoli make it difficult to breathe out.
Chronic bronchitis - Chronic bronchitis is characterised by a persistent cough often called "smokers cough". This condition causes inflammation of the airways to the lungs and increased mucus which can block the airways causing a cough.

COPD diagnosis

People with lung disease often dismiss their symptoms as a sign of old age. The earlier lung disease is diagnosed the sooner treatment can begin to improve lung function and prevent further damage. Diagnosis of COPD includes taking a medical history and a number of lung function tests.

Spirometry is an effective and simple lung test used to measure lung capacity and detect airway obstruction. A person takes as big a breath in as they can, they are then asked to blow out as hard and fast as possible into a spirometer.

Spirometry measures the total volume of air a person can breathe out ( vital lung capacity) after they breathe in. This measurement is important as it indicates the size and health of the lungs and how well the air ways open and close.

COPD treatment

COPD treatment and management of COPD depends on the severity of the symptoms and progress of the disease.

Treatment for COPD may include medication to relieve symptoms, oxygen treatment, changes in lifestyle habits, surgery or pulmonary (lung) rehabilitation.

COPD and medications

Managing the symptoms of COPD can be made easier with the use of medications. A doctor will prescribe medications depending on a person's individual needs and severity of the symptoms.

Some medications for COPD are used as one off medications to relieve shortness of breath for such as inhalers, others are taken more regularly.

It is important to understand how these medications relieve the symptoms of COPD. Always follow a medication plan as recommended a doctor.

Medications used to manage the symptoms COPD may include:

Bronchodilators - Bronchodilators relax and open the muscles around the airways making it easier to breathe and relieving shortness of breath.
Inhaled steroids or anti - inflammatories - These medications work by reducing the amount of inflammation in the airways and decreasing mucus production.
Antibiotics - People with COPD are at risk of infection which can worsen COPD symptoms. Antibiotics may be used to treat a chest infection.

If you are caring for someone with COPD ask the doctor or nurse to show you how to correctly prime, administer and clean any inhalers.

Helpful resources

For more information about chronic obstructive lung disease or help with managing COPD visit The Australian Lung Foundation at www.lungfoundation.com.au