COPD makes it harder to breathe. Breathe Easy Breath Free with Ayurveda!

COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes a range of progressive lung conditions that block airflow and make breathing difficult. Chronic bronchitis and Emphysema are the two most common conditions that can result in COPD. Most people with COPD have a combination of both conditions. People with COPD often have other medical conditions such as heart disease, musculoskeletal disorders, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions.

Although COPD is a progressive disease that gets worse over time, it is treatable. With proper management, most people with COPD can achieve good symptom control and quality of life, as well as reduced risk of other associated conditions.

What is Chronic Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes (airways), which carries air to and from the lungs. When the bronchial tubes are inflamed, the lining or mucous membrane of the airways swells up and grows thicker. It also produces an excess amount of mucus (sputum).

What is emphysema?

Emphysema occurs when the air sacs of the lungs (alveoli) become damaged and enlarged. Normally, these air sacs are elastic or stretchable. When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air, like a small balloon and when you breathe out, the air sacs deflate and the air goes out. In emphysema, it is harder for your lungs to move air out of your body. This results in a chronic cough and difficulty in breathing.

Causes and Risk Factors

• Smoking: 85% to 90% of COPD cases are diagnosed in patients who smoke.
• Secondhand smoke: Secondhand smoke exposes people to the same harmful chemicals as smoking does and may carry the same potential risks over time.
• Environmental factors: Exposure to excessive dust, chemicals, fumes, or air pollution.
• Genetics: A rare genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, can cause COPD at a young age.

Symptoms of COPD

• Shortness of breath while performing daily activities or with mild exercise
• Chronic cough often with phlegm
• Wheezing
• Difficulty in taking a deep breath
• Recurrent respiratory tract infections

Complications of asthma

Asthma complications include:

• Decreased ability to exercise and take part in other activities
• Poor sleep.
• A permanent narrowing of the tubes that carry air to and from your lungs (bronchial tubes)
• Persistent cough
• Side effects from long-term use of some medications used to treat severe asthma

Risk Factors for COPD

Reasons that can make you more likely to get COPD include:

• Smoking:This is the main cause of COPD.  If you smoke or are exposed to smoke, you are at a higher risk of having COPD.
• Air pollution: Exposure to air pollution at home or at work, can damage your lungs.
• Asthma:Asthma, a chronic inflammatory airway disease, can increase your risk for developing COPD. Your chances are even higher if you have asthma, and you smoke.
• Age:Most people are 40 or older when their symptoms start up.
• Infections: If you have had severe viral and bacterial lung infections in early childhood you have a greater chance of getting COPD in adulthood.
• Being Female: Women are more to susceptible to COPD than men.

Complications of COPD

COPD can lead to many complications, including:

• Respiratory infections: COPD increases your risk of catching colds, flu, and pneumonia. These respiratory infections can cause further damage to lung tissue.
• Heart problems: COPD can increase your risk of heart diseases, including heart attack, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat.
• Lung cancer:Having COPD increases your risk of developing lung cancer. Continuing to smoke, further increases this risk.
• High blood pressure in lung arteries:COPD may cause high blood pressure in the arteries that bring blood to your lungs. This is called pulmonary hypertension.
• Depression:Having symptoms of the disease can keep you from doing activities that you enjoy. Plus, dealing with the disease itself can contribute to depression.