Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD)

Chronic means long term, obstructive refers to blockage in the airways, pulmonary refers to the lungs. The most common lung diseases are:

• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Emphysema

The main symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing or excess mucus in the lungs. In each disease the flow of air is obstructed. It is difficult to exhale air. The lungs do not empty rapidly and this makes it harder to get enough oxygen to meet the body's needs.

More information:

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

History and physical examination for COPD

Pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD

Study: Asthmatics Have Higher COPD Risk

Asthma

Asthma is a disease of the bronchial tubes. Inflammation of the airways results in swelling, excess mucous production and narrowing of the bronchial tubes. This process clogs already narrowed airways. The airways are more sensitive than normal. The muscle around the airway goes into spasm. The spasm causes the airway to become even smaller, making it difficult to breathe. You may cough, wheeze, have tightness in your chest and feel short of breath. It's difficult to get your air out (exhale). When you
can't exhale properly, air gets trapped in your lungs and makes it
difficult to get your next breath in (inhale).

Causes

Symptoms are triggered by allergens (such as pollen, mold, dust, strong smells or animal dander), exercise, emotions, infections or cold or polluted air.

Treatment

• Avoid the causes (triggers)
• Use inhaled or oral anti-inflammatory medication as prescribed by a physician
• Use inhaled or oral bronchodilator medication as prescribed by a physician
• Use relaxation and breathing retraining techniques
• Monitor peak flow readings daily
• Get a flu vaccine yearly
• Drink lots of fluids
• Stop smoking or eliminate exposure to smoke (tobacco or wood smoke)

We offer free asthma classes. Class I covers the process of asthma, triggers, medications and inhaler techniques. Class II covers exercise, breathing techniques and more about triggers, and there is a question and answer session.

For more information, call Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator Kathy Johnson, RRT, at 419-526-8455; or send e-mail to kjohnson@medcentral.org.

More information:

MedCentral Asthma Support Group

Asthma Center

Asthma in children

Asthma in teens and adults

Identifying asthma triggers

Using daily asthma treatment and action plans

Asthma news articles

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Chronic bronchitis

Bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes. The lining swells and produces excess mucus. Airways narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Chronic cough and wheezing develops as a result of this mucus. Some airways may actually become totally blocked by mucus. There may be so much mucus that the cilia no longer work to clean the airways. This excess mucus also becomes a breeding ground for infections. Chronic Bronchitis is defined by the presence of a mucus producing cough most days of the month, three months of a year for two consecutive years.

Causes

Cigarette smoke is the number-one cause of chronic bronchitis. Air pollution, industrial dust and allergens are also causes. Chronic bronchitis comes on slowly and is often neglected until it is in an advanced state. Because smokers commonly get chronic bronchitis, the cough is often dismissed as only "smokers cough."

Eventually, persistent coughing and production of mucus is present all the time. Chronic bronchitis has no cure, but you can make breathing easier and stop further lung damage by following your treatment plan.

Treatment

• Avoid the irritant causing the disease
• Stop smoking
• Take antibiotics for acute infections as prescribed by a physician
• Take bronchodilator medication as prescribed by a physician
• Maintain mucous clearance through postural drainage, flutter valve, the Vest or an effective cough
• Drink lots of fluids
• Get a flu vaccine yearly

For more information, call Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator Kathy Johnson, RRT, at 419-526-8455; or send e-mail to kjohnson@medcentral.org.

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Emphysema

Emphysema, a disease of the alveoli (air sacs), comes from a Greek word meaning "inflation." The walls of the alveoli become damaged from smoking and inhaled irritants. With the loss of alveolar walls, the accompanying network of capillaries is destroyed. Less surface area is available for oxygen and carbon dioxide exchange. The alveoli lose their natural elasticity and become floppy bags that no longer spring back to let the air out of the lungs. Smaller airways which are usually held open by the elasticity of these air sacs collapse and trap air in the lung. This trapped air makes you feel tight in the chest and short of breath. Mucus can become trapped in the lungs, making infection possible. Over time, trapped air causes the lungs to enlarge and you may notice more and more shortness of breath. The changes of emphysema interfere with blood flow through the lung. The heart must work harder to pump blood. It may enlarge under the strain and eventually give out.

Causes

Cigarette smoking is the main cause. Inhaled irritants play a part. Heredity is a factor in rare cases. Emphysema has no cure, but you can make breathing easier and prevent further damage by following your treatment plan.

Treatment

• Avoid irritants to the lungs
• Stop smoking
• Use relaxation and breathing retraining techniques
• Drink lots of fluids
• Supplemental oxygen
• Get a flu vaccine yearly
• Use inhaled anti-cholinergic medication as prescribed by a physician
• Use inhaled bronchodilator medication as prescribed by a physician

For more information, call Pulmonary Rehabilitation Coordinator Kathy Johnson, RRT, at 419-526-8455; or send e-mail to kjohnson@medcentral.org.

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Last updated September 29, 2004