What is COPD?

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Millions more people suffer from COPD, but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. Although there is no cure for COPD, it can be treated.

The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, so if you smoke or used to smoke, you are at a higher risk of having COPD. Exposure to air pollution in the home or at work, family history, and respiratory infections like pneumonia also increase your risk.

What are the symptoms of COPD?

Signs and symptoms of COPD may include:

1. Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities.
2. Wheezing.
3. Chest tightness.
4. A chronic cough that may produce mucus (sputum) that may be clear, white, yellow or greenish.
5. Frequent respiratory infections.
6. Lack of energy.
7. Unintended weight loss (in later stages)

How to treat COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease requires long-term treatment, inhalation therapy is the first choice, and the application of bronchodilators is the core treatment measure. The goals of treatment are to prevent disease progression, reduce symptoms, improve exercise tolerance, improve health status, prevent and treat complications, prevent and treat exacerbations, and reduce mortality.

COPD patients need to do a good job of long-term self-management, quit smoking under the guidance of doctors, receive influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, adhere to long-term regular medication, reasonable diet, appropriate rehabilitation training, long-term home oxygen therapy, etc. In order to maintain a stable condition and improve the quality of life. Long-term oxygen therapy is used for COPD if you have very low levels of oxygen in your blood (hypoxemia).