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  • COPD
    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a condition commonly referred to as “smoker’s lung” as tobacco smoke is the most common cause of COPD. It is also known as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COLD). The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates COPD to be at 4th place in the list of diseases causing death. It affects 9-10% of adults aged above 40.   
Submitted by Dr S. Patel on 19 November 2015
  • There is no known cure for COPD, but the symptoms are treatable and its progression can be delayed. 
  • For smokers, quitting smoking is a key priority. 
  • Supplemental oxygen, which can be supplied to the patient through masks and cylinders. This supplemental oxygen enables normal body functions in patients with COPD. 
  • Talk to your doctor about taking an influenza vaccination every year and a pneumococcal vaccination once every five years. 
  • If possible, reduce your exposure to environmental air pollution. 

You may be prescribed some of the following medications:

  • Inhaled bronchodilators to reduce shortness of breath and wheezing. 
  • Corticosteroids in inhaled form or tablets to treat and prevent acute exacerbations.
  • Long-term antibiotics, specifically those from the macrolide class such as erythromycin, to reduce the frequency of exacerbations.
  • Mucolytics which reduce the viscosity of mucus and brings relief from frequent excaberations. This is useful for patients who have very thick mucus. 
Condition

Stories

  • A man coughing and looking for ways to Improve lung function
    5 Activities To Improve Lung Function
    Dr Shital Raval tells you 5 tips how to heal lungs and improve lung function, especially if they are weakened by smoking. But first, quit smoking. Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD. Patients with COPD have impaired lung function, and one of the first things that you have to do to improve lung function is to quit smoking. A recent study by the Glasglow University stated that quitting can better lung function test scores by…
  • COPD Management
    It is important to manage COPD if you do not want the complications to set in. The possible complications are: Heart failure Respiratory failure Food and nutrition  Drink plenty of fluids. You should drink at least 6 to 8 -ounce glasses of non-caffeinated beverages each day to keep mucus thin and easier to cough up. Limit caffeine (contained in coffee, tea, several carbonated beverages such as cola, and chocolate) as it might interfere with some of your medicines. Control sodium (salt)…
  • COPD Treatment
    There is no known cure for COPD, but the symptoms are treatable and its progression can be delayed.  For smokers, quitting smoking is a key priority.  Supplemental oxygen, which can be supplied to the patient through masks and cylinders. This supplemental oxygen enables normal body functions in patients with COPD.  Talk to your doctor about taking an influenza vaccination every year and a pneumococcal vaccination once every five years.  If possible, reduce your exposure to…
  • COPD Types and Stages
    There are three types of COPD: 1. Emphysema: This is a common type of COPD in which the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, causing them to enlarge and burst. This makes it difficult for people to expel air from their lungs. 2. Chronic Bronchitis: This causes inflammation and irritation of the airways. When the air tubes are inflamed and irritated, thick mucus begins to form in them. Over time, this mucus plugs up the airways and makes breathing difficult. 3. Bronchiectasis: This is…
  • Symptoms of COPD
    The most common symptoms of COPD are: Sputum production Shortness of breath. Patients often say, "My breathing requires effort", "I feel out of breath" or "I can't get enough air in”. Typically the shortness of breath is worse on exertion, of a prolonged duration, and worsens over time. Many people with more advanced COPD breathe through pursed lips and this action can improve shortness of breath in some. Cough with mucus (known as a productive cough). A chronic cough is usually the first…
  • COPD Prevention
    Can COPD be prevented Most cases of COPD are potentially preventable. The best ways to prevent COPD is  to stop smoking and reduce your exposure to second-hand smoke and air pollution.  Those with COPD are recommended annual flu and influenza vaccinations to reduce exacerbations and hospitalisation.  Here's how you can improve lung function after you quit smoking:  http://www.patientsengage.com/conditions/improving-lung-function-after-you-quit-smoking  
  • COPD Causes And Risk Factors
    What causes COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) Smoking tobacco is the most common cause of COPD. Other factors such as air pollution and genetics play smaller roles. Typically these exposures must occur over several decades before symptoms develop.  Smoking tobacco - This is the most common cause of COPD. Twenty per cent of smokers will develop COPD. Among lifelong smokers, about half will develop COPD. Women are more susceptible to the harmful effects of smoke than men. …
  • How To Boost Immunity Against Air Pollution Through Diet?
    Struggling with air pollution, smog, haze? Nutritionist Kohila Govindaraju recommends how you can load up on antioxidants and water to boost immunity and protect yourself. Whether it is air pollution in North India or haze and rising PSI levels in Singapore, air pollution increases the level of free radicals in the body that attack and damage healthy cells.  Here is how you can load up on antioxidants and water to boost immunity and protect yourself. Think of what our immune…
  • I'll stay off smoking come what may
    Asok Mitra, 80, used to smoke almost 100 cigarettes a day. He has been smoke-free for 40 years, but tobacco has taken its toll. He tells us why and how he quit.  1. Please tell us a bit about your condition. I am prone to chest infections and pneumonia. My lungs are impaired and do not work at optimum capacity. Years ago, I was told that my lungs were working at 70% of their capacity. 2. How long have you been suffering from this? This has been the situation for at…
  • Stop Your Child Smoking
    Why your child is at risk and what to say to him or her. By Dr Shital Raval Patel. When you think of a smoker, you don’t think of a 10-year-old. But 67% of smokers in India start the tobacco habit between the ages of 9 and 15. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (2006), more than one third of students aged 13 to 15 years (36.8%) reported initiating tobacco use before the age of 10 (Sinha et al., 2008). This could be cigarettes, bidis (which have three times the amount of nicotine and…