1. Understanding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common respiratory disease characterized by persistent airway obstruction. This obstruction usually results from excessive inflammation in the lungs, which causes a large amount of mucus to be produced in the lungs, obstructing the flow of air. The main symptoms of COPD include coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing. These symptoms may not be obvious in the early stages. Therefore, it is important to understand the early symptoms of COPD and how to treat it.
2. Early symptoms of COPD
(1) Long-term cough
Cough is one of the most common early symptoms of COPD. In the early stage, it may only be occasional coughing, but as the disease progresses, coughing may become persistent and frequent.
(2) Pneumonia
Pneumonia is another common symptom of COPD. In the early stage, dyspnea may only occur after activity, but as the disease worsens, dyspnea may occur even when resting.
(3) Dyspnea
Dyspnea is another major symptom of COPD. Patients will feel that they are short of air and need to take deep breaths to relieve it. In severe cases, it may even cause insomnia at night.
(4) Chest tightness
Chest tightness is a common discomfort felt by COPD patients, which may make patients feel a sense of oppression.
(5) Fatigue
Due to dyspnea and hypoxia, COPD patients will feel tired and weak, and this fatigue may affect their daily life and work.
3. How to prevent COPD
(1) Quit smoking
Quit smoking is one of the most important measures to prevent COPD. Harmful substances in tobacco can damage lung tissue, leading to inflammation and mucus production.
(2) Avoid air pollution
Avoid long-term exposure to environments with severe air pollution, such as factories and busy traffic.
(3) Healthy diet
Maintain a healthy diet and eat more nutritious foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
(4) Exercise
Regular aerobic exercise, such as walking and jogging, can enhance respiratory function and immunity.
(5) Vaccination
Vaccinations such as influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine can prevent infection symptoms and aggravate COPD.
4. Consequences of COPD if not treated promptly
If chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not treated promptly, it may lead to a series of serious health consequences, including:
(1) Decreased lung function
The alveoli of COPD patients have poor elasticity and weak contraction, and carbon dioxide is retained in the alveoli, causing the alveoli to expand excessively and even rupture. These changes will gradually lead to decreased lung function and affect the efficiency of gas exchange.
(2) Respiratory failure
Due to continued damage to the lung structure, COPD patients may experience respiratory failure. This is a serious disease that may require mechanical ventilation support.
(3) Cor pulmonale and pulmonary hypertension
If COPD is not treated in time, it will lead to structural changes caused by long-term burden. In addition, pulmonary hypertension may occur, further increasing the burden on the heart and lungs.
(4) Life threat
In the most serious cases, COPD may develop to a fatal level, especially when combined with other health problems (such as inconvenience or heart failure).
5. Treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Stable treatment of COPD includes drug therapy, oxygen therapy, respiratory rehabilitation and lung surgery.
(1) Drug therapy
Drugs have bronchodilator effects, such as oral or inhaled β-receptor agonists and M-receptor blockers, oral carbamazepines, β-damage agonists combined with glucocorticoids for inhaled therapy, etc. Studies have found that hormones can act on multiple links of COPD inflammation. In stable patients, FEV1 can be slightly increased and bronchial reactivity can be improved; in patients with severe COPD, Fev1. The efficacy of combined treatment with two or more drugs is better than that of single drug treatment.
(2) Oxygen therapy
Patients with arterial oxygen partial pressure <55 mmHg should be given long-term oxygen therapy to keep the arterial oxygen saturation >90% in any state (including exercise, activity and sleep).
(3) Respiratory rehabilitation therapy
COPD patients who experience dyspnea or limited exercise and activity should undergo rehabilitation therapy, including a healthy lifestyle, respiratory muscle training and physical exercise.
(4) Surgical treatment
Surgical treatment is a major advance in the treatment of COPD, including large incisions, lung volume reduction, lung transplantation, etc. Patients with symptoms such as cough, sputum, and dyspnea are defined as acute exacerbation of COPD.
Acute exacerbation of COPD is divided into grades I, II and III. Grade I patients are treated as outpatients, grade II patients are mainly hospitalized, and grade III patients are seriously ill and require ICU rescue. The treatment measures are different from those of grade III, including oxygen therapy, antibacterial therapy, bronchodilators, hormones, non-invasive or innovative mechanical ventilation therapy.