Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease – Signs, Symptoms & Treatment

Most people don't think about their lungs until they come down with a bad cold, the flu, pneumonia, bronchitis or other disease that affects the respiratory system.

The coughing and chest congestion are unpleasant and often painful. With the help of over-the-counter cough medicines, nasal sprays, lots of water, or chicken soup these symptoms will disappear and you'll soon feel better. If these remedies don't help your doctor can prescribe a stronger medication to manage your disagreeable symptoms until your ailment runs its course.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is actually two serious lung disorders that make it hard to breathe. Chronic bronchitis causes the lining of the bronchial tubes to become swollen and produce excessive amounts of mucus. Emphysema breaks down lung tissue and allows air to be trapped in the lung and increases the size of its air spaces. COPD is responsible for long-term lung disabilities and is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Lung Association. The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute estimates that 12 million adults have the disease while an additional 12 million are in the early stages of the disease.

Causes of COPD

Smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Second-hand smoke caused by being around smokers, industrial dust, chemicals, and air pollution also have serious effects on lung tissue. There is no cure for the disease. However, a variety of treatments are available to manage breathing symptoms and relieve discomfort.

Symptoms of COPD

COPD develops gradually after years of smoking or exposure to other irritating substances so many people don't realize they have the disorder until the disease begins to damage lung tissue.

Early symptoms include:

• Breathlessness
• Constant coughing
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the chest
• Clearing the throat frequently
• Weight loss

COPD symptoms become worse as the disease progresses. Someone with the disease may need more pillows to breathe properly or sleep sitting up and feels tired and weak because damaged lungs make it harder for him or her to breathe. He or she may lose weight and have frequent headaches and dizziness especially in the morning. Walking for only short distances causes breathlessness making it difficult for your parent to play with her grandchildren, participate in tennis, golf and other sports she enjoys, take long walks, or enjoy vacations. In its later stages lack of oxygen causes a variety of symptoms including fevers, forgetfulness, irritability, slurred speech and physical weakness.

Diagnosing COPD

Your relative's doctor will do a complete physical exam paying special attention to the lungs. He or she will schedule lung function tests to measure how much air he breathes in and out, how fast he can breathe and if his lungs are able to supply sufficient oxygen to the blood along with chest x-rays and spirometry – a test to measure how much air he breathes out and how quickly. Your parent may also be referred to a lung specialist for additional tests and recommendations for treatment options.

Managing COPD Symptoms at Home

Although COPD cannot be cured there are a variety of treatments and lifestyle changes available to manage your relative's symptoms, slow the progress of the disease, prevent complications, and improve your relative's overall health.

Strategies for better lung function include:

• Bronchodilators that open the airways and make breathing easier as directed by your parent's doctor.
• Supplemental oxygen when prescribed by the doctor.
• Managing body weight. COPD can cause either weight gain or loss depending on the individual
• Regular physical activity. Staying active helps your parent maintain his ability to get dressed, bathe, do household chores, take short walks and enjoy other activities of everyday living. Ask your parent's doctor for advice and guidelines.
• Healthy meals rich in high-fiber foods, fruits and vegetables and low in fats and salt. Skip fried and fatty foods, beans, and carbonated drinks that can cause gas and bloating.

Help Older Adults to Quit Smoking

Tobacco smoke is the number one cause of COPD. It irritates the lungs and reduces their ability to pull air in and push air out of the lungs. People who smoke and "second hand smokers" are both at increased risk for lung cancer and respiratory diseases. Unfortunately smoking is a difficult habit to overcome especially for people who have been smokers for many years. Ask your parent's physician to prescribe a stop-smoking medication or nicotine substitute for her. You can also help her find a stop-smoking support group in her community. Medicare now provides coverage for counseling services that help certain Medicare beneficiaries to stop smoking.

Lessons Learned from COPD

Chances are your parent grew up at a time when the dangers of tobacco use were unknown and TV commercials promoted the "Marlboro Man," "Lucky Strikes Mean Fine Tobacco," and Camel cigarettes. People could light up a cigarette in restaurants, theaters, bars, coffee houses, sports events – just about any place. Now many of these individuals are suffering from serious tobacco-related illnesses like heart attacks, cancer, obstructive lung disease, poor circulation and stroke. As a caregiver for someone suffering from a tobacco-related illness you can appreciate the pain that smoking has caused them and give them the help, comfort, care and courage they need to manage their disease day by day.