Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a common respiratory condition, often characterized by cough, breathlessness and airflow limitation. It occurs due to the narrowing of the airways and is a term used to group emphysema and chronic bronchitis. There is also an overlap in some people with asthma.
Around 1 in 7 Australians aged over 40 have some form of COPD, however, studies suggest that approximately up to 50% of people living with COPD do not know they have this condition.
The most common causes of COPD include:
- Smoking (including passive smoking exposure)
- Environmental factors – working or living in conditions where there is significant dust, gas, chemical fumes, smoke or air pollution
- Genetic – alpha-1-antitypsin deficiency
Symptoms of COPD tend to come on slowly and can be mild. As COPD progresses, completing day to day tasks can become harder as a result of felling more breathless. Common symptoms of COPD include:
- Shortness of breath (breathlessness)
- Persistent cough that does not improve
- Daily cough productive of phlegm/mucous
- Recurrent chest infections
- Lethargy / tiredness
The diagnosis of COPD is often made on clinical history although spirometry (lung function tests or breathing tests) is usually needed to confirm the diagnosis. Other tests that may be performed to aid in the evaluation include: chest x-ray or CT scan of chest, blood tests and an arterial blood gas (ABG).
Currently, there is no cure for COPD but early treatment is important to not only stabilize the disease and prevent progression but also to improve symptoms. Some of the treatment options recommended include:
- Smoking cessation – most likely to stop progression and provide symptom improvement
- Remaining active and exercising
- Medications – inhaler therapy
- Vaccinations to prevent infections
- Oxygen therapy – usually reserved for severe disease
