COPD Health Check
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a respiratory (lung) condition that obstructs airflow in the lungs and causes difficulty breathing. This illness is frequently accompanied by chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the airways or bronchial tubes) and emphysema (damage to the lining of the air sacs in the lungs).
In order to identify this problem, your physician may undertake pulmonary function testing, often known as spirometry, or arterial blood gas analysis. X-rays or CT scans of the chest may be used to determine the severity of your disease. While there is no cure for COPD, your doctor may recommend changes to your lifestyle, therapy, medications, and/or surgery to alleviate your symptoms.
How is COPD diagnosed and evaluated?
Your primary care physician will begin by asking about your medical history and symptoms. There will also be a physical examination. If your physician suspects you have COPD, the following tests may be administered:
Spirometry: Lung function test that use a device called a spirometer to measure how much air you can move by taking a deep breath in and out, as well as how quickly you can do it.
Arterial blood gas analysis: This test analyzes the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood. A high level of carbon dioxide in the blood can be indicative of COPD-related lung dysfunction.
In addition, your physician may prescribe some imaging tests.
How is COPD treated?
Although there is no cure for COPD, your physician may offer one or more of the following treatments to alleviate symptoms:
- Stop smoking completely and boost your physical activity.
- Oxygen treatment involves the utilization of a device that delivers more oxygen to the lungs. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that employs counseling, dietary recommendations, and physical activity to help you better manage COPD.
- Steroids, inhalers, and antibiotics may be administered for the treatment of COPD symptoms.
- In severe circumstances, surgery, such as lung transplant or lung volume reduction operations, may be required when non-invasive therapy have failed to alleviate symptoms.