Lung Disease Emphysema Biography
(Source google.com)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic
bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. People with COPD
have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways,
this is called airflow obstruction. Typical symptoms of COPD include:
The main cause of COPD is smoking. The likelihood of developing COPD increases
the more you smoke and the longer you've been smoking. This is because smoking
irritates and inflames the lungs, which results in scarring. Over many years,
the inflammation leads to permanent changes in the lung. The walls of the
airways thicken and more mucus is produced. Damage to the delicate walls of the
air sacs in the lungs causes emphysema and the lungs lose their normal
elasticity. The smaller airways also become scarred and narrowed. These changes
cause the symptoms of breathlessness, cough and phlegm associated with COPD.
Some cases of COPD are caused by fumes, dust, air pollution and genetic
disorders, but these are rarer.
COPD is one of the most common
respiratory diseases in the UK .
It usually affects people over the age of 35, although most people are not
diagnosed until they are in their fifties. It is thought there are over 3
million people living with the disease in the UK , of which only about 900,000
have been diagnosed. This is because many people who develop symptoms of COPD
do not get medical help because they often dismiss their symptoms as a
‘smoker’s cough’. COPD affects more men than women, although rates in women are
increasing. It is important that COPD is diagnosed as early as possible so
treatment can be used to try to slow down the deterioration of your lungs. You
should see your GP if you have any of the symptoms mentioned above. COPD is usually diagnosed after a
consultation with your doctor, which may be followed by breathing tests.
Although the damage that has already occurred to your lungs cannot be reversed,
you can slow down the progression of the disease. Stopping smoking is
particularly effective at doing this. Treatments for COPD usually involve
relieving the symptoms with medication, for example by using an inhaler to make
breathing easier. Surgery is only an option for a
small number of people with COPD. COPD can affect your life in many ways, but
help is available to reduce its impact. Simple steps such as keeping
healthy, being as active as possible, learning breathing techniques, and taking
your medication can help you to reduce the symptoms of COPD.
Financial support and advice
about relationships and end of life care is also available for people with
COPD. Although COPD causes about 25,000 deaths a year in the UK , severe COPD
can usually be prevented by making changes to your lifestyle. If you smoke,
stopping is the single most effective way to reduce your risk of getting the
condition. Research has shown you are up to
four times more likely to succeed in giving up smoking if you use NHS support
along with stop-smoking medicines such as patches or gum. Ask your doctor about
this, call the NHS Smoking Helpline on 0300 123 1044 or go to. Tobacco smoking is the most common cause of COPD, with a number of other factors such as air pollution and genetics playing a smaller role. In the developing world, one of the common sources of air pollution is from poorly vented cooking and heating fires. Long-term exposure to these irritants causes an inflammatory response in the lungs resulting in narrowing of the small airways and breakdown of lung tissue known as emphysema. The diagnosis is based on poor airflow as measured by lung function tests. In contrast toasthma, the airflow reduction does not improve significantly with the administration of medication. COPD can be prevented by reducing exposure to the known causes. This includes efforts to decrease rates of smoking and to improve indoor and outdoor air quality. COPD treatments include: quitting smoking, vaccinations, rehabilitation, and often inhaledbronchodilators and steroids. Some people may benefit from long-term oxygen therapy orlung transplantation. In those who have periods of acute worsening, increased use of medications and hospitalization may be needed.
Lung Disease Emphysema Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker
Lung Disease Emphysema Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker
Lung Disease Emphysema Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker
Lung Disease Emphysema Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker
Lung Disease Emphysema Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker
Lung Disease Emphysema Lungs Diagram of a Smoker after Smoking Cancer Anatomy And Heart Drawing Images AFter Smoking Wee of a Weed Smoker
