Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Description of the Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive pathological condition of the lungs that disrupts their permeability and gas exchange.
Risk Factors
Smoking is the main risk factor. Approximately 90 percent of COPD patients smoke intensively or have smoked before their diagnosis. Environmental pollution also raises the likelihood of developing COPD; individuals frequently using wood-burning stoves or heaters at home face a higher risk. Doctors and scientists hold various opinions regarding other risk factors, including climate (cold, humidity, smoke, cloudiness), frequent respiratory diseases, impaired nasal breathing, alcoholism, and fasting.
Symptoms
The most common symptom of COPD is persistent airway obstruction, along with chronic inflammation of the respiratory tract, lung tissue, and blood vessels. These conditions worsen and lead to irreversible changes such as bronchial deformation, lung fibrosis, emphysema, and heart failure. Early signs include cough, sputum production, decreased physical capacity, and shortness of breath. The disease is often diagnosed late because of its progressive nature; patients frequently do not notice symptoms. Initially, the cough is intermittent but later becomes persistent, disrupting sleep. As the disease advances, shortness of breath becomes more frequent, muscles atrophy due to lack of oxygen and decreased physical activity, and body mass decreases.
Diagnosis
Healthcare providers diagnose COPD by examining lung function. As the disease progresses, red blood cell and carbon dioxide levels in the blood often increase, while oxygen levels decrease. A chest X-ray typically reveals an increase in lung volume and highlighted blood vessels.
Treatment
Curing COPD completely is not possible, but following a doctor’s instructions can significantly slow the disease’s progression and improve quality of life. Each case of COPD differs, so a doctor must prescribe individual treatment plans. The main treatment goals include protecting against disease progression, alleviating symptoms, improving tolerance to physical exertion, and protecting against complications while treating them if they occur.
Long-term and consistent drug treatment is essential, even if symptoms are rare and mild. The most commonly used medications include bronchodilators, such as anticholinergics, short and long-acting beta2-agonists, methylxanthines, and corticosteroids.
Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology