Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, also known as COPD, consists of a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it difficult to breathe. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two of the most commons illnesses that fall under COPD. COPD can cause a number of other health-realted issues. While it is not curable, there are many treatment options to lessen the symptoms, including certain life style changes, using an oxygen concentrator, and more.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) does more than affect the lungs. COPD can impact other areas of the body including the heart and the brain. Oxygen plays such an important role in our bodily well-being that decreases in blood oxygen saturation can be detrimental to our mental health as well as our physical health. COPD can affect the brain as it is linked to a higher risk of memory...
While we all may experience a bad cough, it is not the same as the cough of COPD. The cough of COPD is on-going, often lasting for weeks or longer. This persistent cough will also be more productive as your body attempts to clear your airway of irritants that do not appear to go away.
Some of the common side effects of COPD are sensations that you are losing breath, short of breath or the feeling that you cannot breathe at all. While not life-threatening, these side effects can understandably trigger a belief that you are dying or suffering a serious medical event. But in fact, these are just panic attacks.
While many medications can help with your COPD, there are some you should avoid. Your doctor will help you stay clear of medications that can be harmful. You can also take steps to make sure that you don’t accidentally take medications that can be hazardous by staying informed.
COPD and congestive heart failure are related. Many patients with COPD may experience congestive heart failure related to the left or right side of the heart. Low oxygen levels from COPD can dramatically affect the heart and puts COPD patients at greater risk.
When most people think of a serious respiratory illness, they think of emphysema. Yet emphysema is only one of the diseases that comprise COPD. COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects more than 15 million Americans compared to the 3 million Americans impacted by emphysema.1 Let's dive into both COPD and emphysema and the main differences between the two.
COPD and lung cancer are both severe conditions that affect the respiratory system. Though they are separate diseases there are similarities in how COPD and lung cancer progressively damage the lungs. Similarities also exist including risk factors for both diseases and symptoms patients experience. There is some evidence also that the two diseases are linked.
