Frank's Advice on COPD
Sunday, 27 November 2011 11:02
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is an umbrella term for Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema or both
COPD is commonly caused by Smoking and is a persistent inflammation of the airways with continuing damage to the airsacs and smaller airways. It keeps flaring up and these infectious episodes are treated with antibiotics.
Smoking causes inflammation and damage to the airways allowing infection to build up and cause more damage. 3 in 20 people who smoke 20 cigarettes a day and 1 in 4 people who smoke 40 a day will develop COPD. Air Pollution and some working conditions make the disease worse. People who have never smoked rarely develop COPD.
Your Murray's Pharmacist can help with stopping smoking on the NHS.
Symptoms of COPD include cough, breathlessness and loads of sputum or phlegm. Also more chest infections than usual. COPD sufferers invariably get chest infections just with a bad cold, so care must be taken and Immunisation against influenza is a must.
Asthma tends to come and go with periods of normal breathing in between attacks of breathlessness. With COPD there is permanent damage to the lungs so breathlessness is persistent and progressive, especially with any effort or exercise. Also with COPD, tiredmess and weight loss can occur.
COPD is diagnosed by a spirometer test which measures your lung capacity. Your Murray's Pharmacist can explain about this test for you. The amount of breath you can blow out in a given time is measured and can help with gauging the severity of your COPD.
If your COPD gets beyond a certain capacity, inhalers can help with keeping your airways clear. If you have been prescribed inhalers by your doctor, your Murray's Pharmacist can help with explanations of use and what they are for in managing your condition. There are also tablets that can open your airways and medicine to help get rid of all the excess mucus and sputum(phlegm).
Another way you can Manage your COPD is through regular exercise, within your capacity of course. This helps to keep the airways open and improve breathing. Your COPD Nurse, Doctor or Murray's Pharmacist can help you with this and give you more information.
Obviously you should stop smoking and Murray's Pharmacies have Pharmacists and Technicians who are NHS Stop-smoking advisors, so ask at the counter for details. Losing weight is also a good idea, easier said, but at least a few pounds will help.
