What Causes COPD How to Treat It?
COPD, which is named with the initials of the words Chronic Obsructive Pulmonary Disease, is a disease that occurs as a result of filling and obstruction of air sacs in the lungs called bronchus. This disease causes breathing complaints and cough. The fresh air you take cannot be absorbed sufficiently by the lungs, as a result of this, sufficient oxygen transmission to the blood and other tissues cannot be provided.
What Causes COPD?
Occupational dusts may be the cause of COPD. At the same time, tobacco products used are one of the leading causes of COPD. Other causes of COPD are as follows; There are certain causes such as genetic diseases, air pollution where you live, age and gender. The recent decline in physical activity is also considered a trigger for COPD. Fumes from fuels can also be a cause of COPD.
What are the Symptoms of COPD?
Cough is usually the first symptom of COPD. With cough, sputum production increases. This sputum is usually white in color and slimy in texture. Shortness of breath during movement is also one of the symptoms of COPD.
How to Treat COPD?
This disease cannot be completely eradicated. But it can be treated and prevented. Treatment will alleviate this disease. It can prevent future complications. It usually slows down this rapidly progressing disease. The most important factor in the treatment of COPD is if the person smokes, they should quit. Various drugs are used in the treatment of COPD depending on the progress of the disease. These; antibiotics, breath-opening drugs and oxygen therapy.
Stages of COPD?
There are four stages of this disease, divided into mild, moderate, severe and very severe. These stages are as follows;
- Light : It is shortness of breath that occurs as a result of very intense work and climbing stairs at excessive speed and carrying loads. This stage is considered to be the initial stage of the disease.
- Middle : It is shortness of breath that does not interrupt your night sleep but occurs during the daily activities you participate in.
- Heavy : Complaints of shortness of breath have started to interrupt even his sleep at night. You cannot do activities that you can do in light and medium stages at this stage. The shortness of breath you experience does not allow this.
- Very heavy : Now it is extremely difficult to breathe. The patient becomes stronger in breathing. It has difficulty walking even in the house. Diseases occur in various organs due to insufficient oxygen delivery to tissues.
