Are you frequently exposed to cigarette smoke, irritating gases, or particulate matter - dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets? Do you experience breathing difficulty, cough, mucus production, and wheezing? If the answers are yes, there is every chance of you being affected by COPD.

It is a lifelong issue in which the airways are blocked due to swelling and inflammation. It can cause irreversible damage to the lungs and worsen difficulty in breathing and obstruction of airways. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema or both are two other conditions that back COPD.

Symptoms 

• Breathlessness   
• Constant cough 
• Excess production of mucus 
• Weariness
• Wheezing
• Worsening breathing difficulty 
• Shortness of breath while talking 
• Blue tint of lips and finger beds 
• Increased heartbeats

Causes and Reasons 

Chronic bronchitis affects the lining of the airways that carry air to and from the air sacs or alveoli of the lungs. The condition is characterized by cough and mucus production. Emphysema occurs when the air sacs at the end of the smallest air passages of the lungs are damaged due to frequent exposure to smoke, irritating gases, or particulate matter.

Asthma symptoms can also be part of COPD. If you have a history of asthma, there is an increased risk of developing the condition. If you have COPD, you may also have a higher risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms. If you have advanced COPD, you might find it difficult to do chores like climbing the stairs or cooking.

Treatment 

COPD is a disease that worsens over time. It is treatable but not curable. With effective management of the condition, you can control symptoms and improve the quality of their life.

Consult your doctor at Amrita Hospitals for a detailed medical examination and treatment.