Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most common respiratory system diseases today. In 2020, GOLD or the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease reported that COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide. Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema are included in this group of diseases.
Causes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
The main causes of COPD are long-term smoking and exposure to air pollution. When the lungs are exposed to toxins, lung function becomes abnormal, or the airways are damaged, leading to bronchitis and spreading to the alveoli in the lungs. Genetics and a deficiency of Alpha-1 Antitrypsin can also accelerate the development of emphysema prematurely, even in non-smokers.
What are the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
- Dry cough
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath, easy fatigue
- In patients with chronic bronchitis, there may be excessive sputum, which increases the risk of infection
Diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Medical history taking Since COPD symptoms are not specific, diagnosis relies on history taking, physical examination, and additional laboratory tests to determine the severity of the disease.
- Laboratory tests Lung function tests or Spirometry can help classify severity, assess, and monitor the disease stage.
- Chest X-ray examination (Chest X-ray: CXR) is used to examine the lungs by radiography to diagnose diseases with similar symptoms or to identify possible complications.
- Computed tomography (CT Scan) is used to observe the distribution of emphysema to select appropriate treatment methods.
Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Since COPD cannot be completely cured, patients should prevent complications, reduce the risk of disease progression, and take care of themselves to maximize treatment effectiveness as follows:
- Take medications as prescribed to reduce symptoms and prevent exacerbations
- Quit smoking to reduce disease severity
- Exercise to strengthen lung capacity
- In cases of acute exacerbation with shortness of breath, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing, bronchodilator inhalers can be used to relieve symptoms by expanding the airways and increasing airflow out of the lungs. This treatment should be under medical advice.
- Surgical treatment depends on disease severity. Doctors may remove compressed lung tissue to improve lung function or perform surgery to enhance the muscles involved in breathing.
