What Is COPD?
COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD is a general term that refers to a group of progressive lung diseases. Among the conditions referred to as COPD, the most common are chronic Bronchitis [1] and emphysema [2]. If one is diagnosed with COPD, it is usually one of these conditions.
Both emphysema and chronic Bronchitis are severe conditions of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Emphysema is when the air sacs in your lungs slowly destroy, which would then obstruct air from flowing outward. On the other hand, Bronchitis is when there is inflammation, and the bronchial tubes become narrow; this would cause mucus to build up in the lungs.
COPD has slowly become a common condition that mainly affects adults or middle-aged individuals who smoke. One could have COPD and may not be aware of it; you should regularly check-ups, especially if you smoke. Suppose one fails to treat COPD as quickly as possible. In that case, it can get a lot more complicated, leading to a faster progression of the disease, causing a breathing problem that would gradually worsen, increasing the risk of respiratory infection and cause heart problems.
The damage caused by COPD to the lungs could be permanent; however, specific treatments could help slow down the progression of whatever condition. Early treatment would also help to ease the symptoms and prevent complications. Some treatments for COPD include: