What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory lung disease that blocks the airways in the lungs making it difficult to breathe. Long-term exposure to certain irritants like air pollution, chemicals, exposure to fumes from burning fuel for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated homes can cause damage to the lungs. One most common triggering factor is cigarette smoking.
Possible Causes
Even though it is rare, researchers believe that genetics play an important role in the etiology of COPD. A lack of a protein called Alpha 1 antitrypsin can put one at risk of developing COPD.
Age is another triggering factor amongst people suffering from this condition. Most people in their 40s are usually the ones who develop symptoms of COPD.
There is no significant symptom in the first instance but as the condition worsens, there are some noticeable symptoms such as
- Tightness in the chest
- Coughing up a lot of mucus
- Shortness of breath upon any physical activity
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Low energy
- Weight Loss
- Wheezing
Individuals are likely to encounter exacerbations, during which the symptoms worsen. This persists for a longer period of time.
COPD: Superset of Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema
COPD is a superset of two different conditions i.e Chronic bronchitis and Emphysema. These two conditions usually appear together but differ in their severity.
Chronic bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchus. The bronchial tubes are responsible for delivering air to and from the air sacs. Hair-like strands called cilia line your bronchial cylinders and assist in moving mucus out. Whenever you have bronchitis, you lose your cilia. This makes airways harder to dispose of the mucus, causing excessive coughing and again more mucus production.
Emphysema is caused by damage to alveoli (air sacs). This destruction of the walls causes them to merge and form a giant air sac. Less oxygen is absorbed and delivered to the blood. Damaged alveoli cause the lungs to lose their flexibility and eventually leading to difficulty in breathing.
