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This post was written by Jennifer Hanes, BSRC, RRT, CPFT, supervisor cardiopulmonary and sleep services, Parkview Wabash Hospital.
Once you are diagnosed with any chronic condition, it is important to become as knowledgeable as possible so that you can maintain your quality of life. The more you understand, especially over time, the better you will be able to manage your health and feel in control of it.
What you need to know about COPD
Let us start by breaking down the acronym:
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Chronic indicates that the condition will always be a part of your life and will worsen over time.
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Obstructive refers to the root of your problems. In this case, the tubes of your lungs are irritated, swollen and possibly a buildup of mucus is causing them to obstruct air from moving in and out normally.
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Pulmonary refers to your lungs.
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Disease means that something is not functioning properly.
It is not always easy to determine the exact cause of COPD. However, we understand that certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing it. These include:
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Smoking of any kind
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Exposure to secondhand smoke
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Inhaling environmental pollutants (dust, fumes or chemicals)
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Genetic predisposition
COPD is primarily diagnosed with a breathing test commonly known as Pulmonary Function Testing or Spirometry test. This test measures how well the lungs can move air in and out of the body. Other diagnostic methods may involve imaging, such as a CT scan or X-ray, and blood work. These tests, along with your medical history, will help your doctor figure out how serious your COPD is.
Disease progression
The stage you are in depends on your lung function level, the severity of your symptoms, how you've been managing them, as well as any other health issues you may have.
In addition to shortness of breath, other symptoms include:
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A cough that produces mucus
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Whistling sound when breathing (wheezing)
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A feeling of tightness in the chest
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Some people also notice that they are unexpectedly very tired
Treatment
Everyone's COPD is unique and may require different treatments. Getting a proper diagnosis is important for effective treatment because there is no cure. Symptom management is the primary key to relief. The goal of treatment is to slow down how quickly the disease gets worse, reduce flare-ups or sudden worsening episodes (called exacerbations) and help you enjoy a better quality of life.
The type of treatment you receive also depends on your stage of disease. It can range from quitting smoking, medication management and clinical trials, to end-of-life or palliative care. While medication is often one of the first treatments for COPD, it's still important to focus on avoiding inhaled irritants, since exposure to these is the leading cause of the disease.
Knowing the main differences between medicines and how they help you breathe can make managing your symptoms a lot simpler. There are several types of medicines that can help manage COPD, and each one is used in its own way. It's helpful to understand what each medicine does and how it helps different parts of your lungs.
Oxygen therapy isn't suitable for every person with COPD. Whether you need it depends on the severity of your condition. In the early stages, you may experience difficulty breathing, but it may not have progressed enough to affect how well oxygen enters your lungs or how carbon dioxide exits.
A physician may recommend pulmonary rehab to help patients learn about COPD and understand their condition. This can occur in a group class or through individual sessions. Throughout therapy, you can expect to receive information about managing the disease, participate in physical exercises and gain medical and emotional support. Feeling anxious because you can't properly breathe can be debilitating. Learning how to manage those feelings through meditation and controlled breathing can help reduce stress and support better breathing.
The most challenging aspect of the COPD journey is discussing end-of-life care. This typically occurs in the advanced stages of COPD, and for some, that can be many years in the future. It can be a sensitive topic to broach, but it's important to acknowledge that every individual's experience with COPD is distinctive and that no one can predict the timing. Having these advanced care planning discussions ensures that your preferences are understood and respected when the time comes.
Final thoughts
Feeling like you can't breathe can be extremely distressing and may cause you to feel anxious or worried. You might ask yourself, "When will this stop?" or "What's causing this?" The good news is that with early diagnosis and awareness, there are ways to help manage your COPD.
Parkview Physicians Group - Pulmonology offers personalized care for people living with pulmonary and respiratory diseases. Ask your primary care provider if a referral is right for you.
