If you have difficulty breathing while walking briskly, or if you have frequent shortness of breath, walking slower and shorter distances than your peers, and these symptoms are more pronounced during the cold winter months, you are likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
COPD can lead to respiratory restriction, so that the human body is in a chronic state of hypoxia for a long time, resulting in problems in the respiratory system and circulatory system, which is one of the main diseases that cause human death. COPD cannot be cured and requires attention to proper medication to improve quality of life.
First, why do you suffer from COPD
The incidence of COPD is age-related, with the highest incidence in people over 60 years of age. The biggest causative factor is long-term smoking, or inhalation of other pollutants (such as second-hand smoke, dust, exhaust gas, oil fumes, etc.), which causes irritation to the respiratory tract, resulting in narrowing of the airways or changes in lung structure, and limited respiratory airflow.
COPD also has a certain genetic predisposition, and people with COPD in immediate family members have an increased probability of disease. Premature babies and recurrent lower respiratory tract infections also increase the risk of COPD. There are also people with low socio-economic status, poor living environment and nutritional status, and are also at high risk of COPD.
Second, to do lung function testing for diagnosis
Symptoms of suspected COPD are not immediately confirmed and require further testing to distinguish other disorders that can also cause similar symptoms. Diseases such as asthma, heart failure, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, lung cancer, bronchitis and other diseases can also cause breathing difficulties.
Lung function testing is the "gold standard" for confirming COPD, and breath volume tests are performed after bronchodilators, and if there is airflow restriction, it may be COPD, and more detailed evaluation is needed to confirm the diagnosis. Treatment can only be carried out after other diseases have been ruled out.
Third, pay attention to the stable period of drug treatment
The course of COPD is divided into a stable phase and an acute exacerbation period, of which the stable phase of drug treatment is very important, COPD patients want to reduce symptoms, improve quality of life, extend life expectancy, reduce the risk of future acute exacerbations, must do a good job of stabilization of self-management.
Stable phase of COPD and adherence to the long-term inhalation "triple combination" regimen can prevent or alleviate symptoms and reduce the risk of acute exacerbations.
These include long-acting anticholine drugs (tiotropium bromide, turnipium bromide, glycopyrronium bromide, etc.) which are key to the treatment of COPD;
Short-acting beta2 receptor agonists (salbutamol, terbutaline, etc.) and short-acting anticholine drugs (ipratropium bromide, oxytropium bromide, etc.) should also be prepared, and in the presence of acute symptoms, inhalation of short-acting drugs can improve symptoms and may enhance lung function.
If there is sputum thick and not easy to cough up, a mucinous sputrine agent (carboxylsteine, acetylcysteine, etc.) can be used to dilute the sputum and promote coughing. COPD patients can prepare home oxygen concentrators for long-term oxygen therapy, which can improve the quality of life. Influenza vaccines and pneumonia vaccines can be given regularly to increase resistance to disease.
Long-term use of the "triple combination" is the focus of treatment in the stable stage of COPD, which requires patients to do a good job of self-management, adhere to long-term treatment, and cannot stop the drug without authorization.
Fourth, in the event of acute exacerbations, it is necessary to seek medical treatment in time
When a patient with COPD has a cough, a sharp worsening of sputum production symptoms, or progressive dyspnea, it may be an acute exacerbation period, and short-acting drugs can be inhaled to improve breathing and avoid asphyxia and hypoxia, but this method is only a stopgap measure, and it is necessary to seek medical attention as soon as possible to ensure safety.
Respiratory tract infections are the most common cause of acute exacerbations of pulmonary obstruction, and if a bacterial infection is clear, treatment with a sensitive antimicrobial agent selected by a doctor is required.
People with COPD must quit smoking and stay away from areas with severe air pollution. Usually, you can practice "lip-constricted breathing" (after a small inhalation through the nose, you can use a whistling mouth shape to slowly exhale), which can avoid airway collapse, exercise respiratory muscles, and improve the overinflation state in the lungs.
To sum up, COPD is incurable, and the treatment focus is on self-management during the stability period, adhering to regular medication, which can control symptoms, improve quality of life, and avoid acute exacerbations. The choice of specific medication needs to be carried out under the guidance of a doctor. If you have any questions about medication, consult your doctor or pharmacist. I am a pharmacist Huazi, welcome to follow me and share more health knowledge.