Health care for a better life

Archive for the ‘COPD’ Category

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD is a disease that refers to a collection of respiratory ailments that cause syndrome like symptoms. The conditions that fall under COPD are asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. These conditions are considered to be COPD when the individual is suffering from one or more of them on an ongoing basis, such that their airflow is frequently disrupted or obstructed. In many cases damage caused by chronic COPD is irreversible, and this is what makes the condition chronic, and in some cases fatal. Many patients need to know that quality of life with COPD does not have to suffer. Treatment is available and proven very effective. If you suffer from asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema and are wondering if you may have COPD, read here to find out more and how to get treatment fast. An obstructed airway or airflow is the primary symptom of COPD, and this is marked by a difficulty in exhaling.

Common symptoms that accompany the obstructed airflow are a dry cough, or cough that produces mucous; wheezing that occurs upon exhaling, and a shortness of breath that will come with any exertion. Individuals that struggle with bronchitis or emphysema on a consistent basis will be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis or chronic emphysema which are precursors to COPD. Chronic bronchitis is one where a cough produces mucous frequently enough that it lasts for either three months every year, or for two years consecutively. Chronic emphysema will be diagnosed when the arispaces around the bronchiole in the lungs are enlarged on a consistent basis. Bronchodilator treatments for the precursor conditions to COPD are the first weapon of defense when it comes to COPD treatment. When it comes to bronchitis and asthma, bronchodilator treatment may be enough on their own to release the obstruction of airflow and allow for comfortable breathing. Emphysema is the only precursor condition that will cause irreversible damage when it comes to COPD, but if caught early enough, the obstructed airflows in emphysema patients with bronchodilator treatment. In many cases of the more advanced COPD, additional treatment such as prednisone or steroid treatment may also help in releasing airflow obstructions. In addition, even more advanced stages of COPD may require oxygen treatment in supplemental forms. Because oxygen is a bronchodilator in itself, it can also be used in moderate COPD to ease coughing and wheezing symptoms. For patients with COPD, quality of life can be severely impaired. Many doctors along with treatment such as oxygen and prednisone will offer pulmonary rehabilitation programs to educate people on how to live effectively with this disease. This type of program will help patients plan their quality of care, and learn how to implement exercise into their treatment program. Exercise is very important for COPD sufferers to keep their cardiovascular function optimal, as well as to keep the airways clear. Pulmonary rehab programs in conjunction with prednisone and oxygen therapy have been proven to be the most comprehensive and multi-pronged treatment relief programs for people suffering from asthma, bronchitis, and chronic emphysema.

The good thing about the modern world is the improvement in the distribution of research results. Before the internet came along, the only way of keeping up with all the latest scientific work in your field was to pay a subscription. This would bring the copy of the latest printed journal to your door. So expensive were these journal subscriptions that hospital libraries would buy in all the journals and make them available to staff. If you were a doctor in practice on your own, the only good thing about this system was the subscriptions were tax deductible. But there has been a change. Although many journals are still behind pay walls, i.e. the same high subscriptions are still in place, an increasing number now make free copies available online. Sometimes this is only the abstract. A pleasing number of times, you get a full report of the research and its findings.

Doctors hate this because, in some cases, you may know as much as them. After all, it’s your body and if there’s something wrong with it, you are motivated to find out more about your own problems. There’s an unfortunate problem called Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This is a long-term problem with your lungs. It may start off minor, but it steadily worsens and makes it harder for you to keep breathing. At first, it sounds and feels like asthma or bronchitis. Your chest feels tight, there’s that terrible wheezing, you grow short of breath and cough. For those of you who like statistics, COPD is the cause of 10% of all hospitalizations. It’s the fourth most common cause of death in the US. Because this is a really serious problem, the standard treatment in a hospital or clinic has been corticosteroids delivered intravenously. This is one of those shock and awe treatments. To be honest about it, IV lines are quite painful, inconvenient and risky. Once in place, they deliver what, by most measures, are high doses of the drug for a relatively short period of time: usually between one and two days. Overall, this leads to longer periods of stay in hospital and, for the benefit of the hospitals, justifies a higher bill. If you have one, you are relieved you have a health insurance policy. If not, you hope the credit card will absorb the bill. There’s some new research comparing the current hospital approach to simply taking a low dosage course of Prednisone. Why make the comparison? Because more people needed follow-up treatment or died using the IV delivery system as against those simply taking the tablets. Doctors argued those on the drip were the more serious cases and so more likely to die. This research does not confirm that explanation. There’s now clear evidence that people taking low doses of Prednisone have better outcomes, stay in hospital for shorter times and have lower bills. Giving you major doses of corticosteroids by IV guarantees a higher risk of side effects and complications. More is not always better than less. In this case, taking Prednisone is shown the better approach and hospitals should review their procedures for the treatment of COPD. Just because you go to hospital does not means you have to have a drip. A tablet or inhaled delivery is just as good.

On a worldwide basis, several COPD charity organizations are relentlessly striving to adders various issues related to COPD. It won’t be out of place in briefly elaborating about a few of these.

The British Lung Foundation: The BLF (British Lung Foundation), based at the United Kingdom, renders yeomen service for people afflicted by various lung ailments. Obviously, these medical conditions are also inclusive of COPD. The activities of BLF include providing financial support to researches, giving medical care to the patients and enhancing awareness on medical aspects. Breathe Easy, which is a BLF network, makes sure that the needy persons are never deprived of the much-needed support and care. There is now a steady rise in the number of people who are volunteering to be a part of the philanthropic work being done by BLF.

http://www.lunguk.org/abouttheblf

American Lung Association:  The American Lung Association is a prominent organization that is striving to safeguard precious lives, by combating lung ailments in all possible ways. The working of the organization encompasses providing education and funding research projects. American Lung Association receives huge volume of contributions from people, not to mention the fact that several people join the organization as volunteers. http://www.lungusa.org/about-us/

Alpha- 1 Foundation: Florida- based Alpha- 1 Foundation has been in existence for the past sixteen years. The Foundation is propelled by the primary objective of furthering research that strives to come out with a cure for Alpha- 1 Antitrypsin deficiency. Also, the efforts are directed towards bringing out treatments that enhance the quality of life of patients bogged down by this condition. Alpha- 1 Foundation partners with the government and several other research agencies. Here, it is but obvious to be puzzled as to how this foundation is related to COPD. In this connection, it needs to be stated that there are now quite a number of cases of COPD where, the ailment has directly resulted from this deficiency. Hence, any treatment aimed at combating it (deficiency), in a way, can also be considered to be addressing issues linked to COPD. Owing to that, there is no hesitation in categorizing Alpha- 1 Foundation as a “COPD charity”. http://www.alpha-1foundation.org/about/

All the above are just few of the several COPD charities that are operating globally. There are many more that are constantly persevering to provide the care and support, which are crucial for patients suffering from this medical condition (COPD).

Anyone that suffers from COPD will realise just how important a disease management program is. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is very common and this disease has shown there are significant opportunities to improve the care for people who suffer from COPD. COPD is a target for disease management programs because it is the fourth leading cause of mortality.

COPD impairs the ability to carry out the activities of daily living and adversely affects quality of life. In 1990, COPD was the twelfth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years worldwide, after major depression, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, traffic accidents, and other causes. However, COPD is expected to rank in fifth place after these four causes of disability-adjusted life years by the year 2020.

COPD is characterised by airflow limitation that is partially reversible; the airflow limitation usually is both progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases (especially tobacco smoke). The disease is usually not diagnosed until it is clinically apparent and relatively advanced. Symptoms of COPD include cough, mucus production, and dyspnoea (having difficulty with breathing). The first symptomto develop in COPD sufferers is a chronic cough. However, patients typically do not seek medical attention until dyspnoea interferes with their quality of life.

Spirometry is used to measure the pulmonary function as well as confirm the diagnosis.Dyspnoea is a major cause of COPD disability. It is fair to say that the biggest risk factor is smoking but exposure to occupational dusts and chemicals such as vapours, irritants and fumes as well as outdoor and indoor pollution are also high risk factors in the cause ofCOPD.

Obtaining a diagnosis of COPD and a greater understanding of the disease can reduce delays in treatment, a decline in lung function as well as a decline in quality of life.

The lack of awareness and the burden of the disease serve as incentives to apply disease management strategies for the treatment of COPD. Education and training of health care providers and the public could improve the detection and treatment of COPD.

A well implemented disease management strategy can potentially improve the outcome for patients who suffer from COPD.

Disease management for COPD sufferers can improve the patient outcomes and improve their quality of life, which can also potentially reduce the overall COPD treatment. A disease management programme is also effective if you are involved in sports activity where COPD can hinder your performance, one such sport is tennis which is a high stamina sport. A well managed programme can improve your overall tennis performance and make it a moreenjoyable experience.

Anyone that suffers from COPD will realise just how important a disease management program is. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is very common and this disease has shown there are significant opportunities to improve the care for people who suffer from COPD. COPD is a target for disease management programs because it is the fourth leading cause of mortality.COPD impairs the ability to carry out the activities of daily living and adversely affects quality of life. In 1990, COPD was the twelfth leading cause of disability-adjusted life years worldwide, after major depression, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, traffic accidents, and other causes. However, COPD is expected to rank in fifth place after these four causes of disability-adjusted life years by the year 2020.COPD is characterised by airflow limitation that is partially reversible; the airflow limitation usually is both progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases (especially tobacco smoke). The disease is usually not diagnosed until it is clinically apparent and relatively advanced. Symptoms of COPD include cough, mucus production, and dyspnoea (having difficulty with breathing). The first symptom to develop in COPD sufferers is a chronic cough. However, patients typically do not seek medical attention until dyspnoea interferes with their quality of life.

Spirometry is used to measure the pulmonary function as well as confirm the diagnosis. Dyspnoea is a major cause of COPD disability. It is fair to say that the biggest risk factor is smoking but exposure to occupational dusts and chemicals such as vapours, irritants and fumes as well as outdoor and indoor pollution are also high risk factors in the cause of COPD.

Obtaining a diagnosis of COPD and a greater understanding of the disease can reduce delays in treatment, a decline in lung function as well as a decline in quality of life.

The lack of awareness and the burden of the disease serve as incentives to apply disease management strategies for the treatment of COPD. Education and training of health care providers and the public could improve the detection and treatment of COPD.

A well implemented disease management strategy can potentially improve the outcome for patients who suffer from COPD.

Disease management for COPD sufferers can improve the patient outcomes and improve their quality of life, which can also potentially reduce the overall COPD treatment. A disease management programme is also effective if you are involved in sports activity where COPD can hinder your performance, one such sport is tennis which is a high stamina sport. A well managed programme can improve your overall tennis performance and make it a more enjoyable experience.