Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Symptoms include a long-lasting (chronic) cough, mucus that comes up when you cough, and shortness of breath that worsens with exertion. It is caused by damage to the lungs over many years, usually as a result of smoking. Over time, breathing tobacco smoke irritates the airways and destroys the stretchy fibers in the lungs. Other risk factors include breathing chemical fumes, dust, or air pollution over a long period of time. Secondhand smoke is also bad. It usually takes many years for the lung damage to start causing symptoms, so COPD is most common in patient 60 years of age and older.

COPD is often a combination of two diseases:

• Chronic bronchitis - results in the airways that carry air to the lungs become inflamed and make a lot of mucus. This causes a narrowing or blockage of the airways, making it hard for you to breathe.



• Emphysema – Normally the tiny air sacs in the lungs are like balloons. As you breathe, they get bigger and smaller to move air through the lungs. But with emphysema, these air sacs are damaged and lose their stretch. Less air gets in and out of the lungs, which results in shortness of breath.

COPD gets worse over time and damage to lungs cannot be undone. You can take steps to prevent more damage and to feel better.

COPD can be diagnosed through a physical exam and listening to your lungs and performing a breathing test (spirometry) and a chest x-ray to determine how well your lungs work and rule out other potential problems. AbsoluteCare provide spirometry and x-ray services on site which allows for a quick diagnosis and treatment.