Understanding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
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Video Description:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects 12 million Americans most of them smokers. Here, we'll cover the basics on America's fourth leading cause of death.
Transcript:Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease kills over 100,000 Americans every year, making it the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. So what exactly IS chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? Actually, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or C.O.P.D, refers to two different diseases of the lung, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Since emphysema and chronic bronchitis are each usually caused by years of cigarette smoke, afflicted individuals are almost always diagnosed with both at once… hence the umbrella term, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This combination of diseases can also be caused by years of inhaling a variety of industrial toxins, fumes, and chemicals. Prolonged exposure to air pollution and second-hand smoke, or even a history of childhood lung infections can also lead to C.O.P.D. However, since chronic bronchitis and emphysema affect two different parts of the lung, let’s take a separate look at each disease. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which are the passageways that branch off from the trachea, or windpipe, and allow air to enter the lungs. This inflammation causes thick mucus to build up in the tubes, preventing sufficient air from reaching the lungs. Emphysema occurs when the walls between the air sacs in the lungs, known as alveoli, lose their elasticity. This, in turn, causes the air sacs to become fragile and over-inflated, leading to an unnatural retention of air within the lungs. The symptoms of C.O.P.D tend to depend on which disease is more prominent in an afflicted individual. If emphysema is the predominant disease, the first noticeable symptom will be a shortness of breath during physical exertion. This will soon be followed by a phlegmatic cough and pursed-lip breathing. If chronic bronchitis predominates, a persistent, mucus-filled cough will often be the first symptom to appear. This may be accompanied by wheezing, shortness of breath, fatigue, and respiratory or lung infections. COPD is usually diagnosed based on an individual’s medical history and an examination of his or her lungs. This lung examination can be done with chest x-rays, CAT scans and any number of pulmonary function tests, such as a spirometry. A spirometry measures the inhalations and exhalations of the lungs and the efficiency of their ability to transfer oxygen to the blood. There is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. However, its destructive presence CAN be controlled and slowed with close medical attention, allowing those afflicted to lead longer, healthier lives. If you are concerned that you may have C.O.P.D, or are experiencing symptoms of either of its component diseases, please see your doctor or pulmonologist for a check-up immediately.
Category:Lung Health/COPD
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