What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a condition that makes it difficult for those who have it to exhale air which, in turn, causes problems inhaling air. The two most common manifestations of it are Chronic bronchitis and Emphysema. (The latter of these affected my grandmother and, eventually, caused her death.) (Medline Plus, N.D.) It is caused by long-term exposure to substances that irritate the lungs and damage them. By far, the worst culprit is cigarette smoke, although air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust can also cause it.

Diagnosis of COPD typically diagnosed using Spirometry where the doctor (a pulmonologist) measures lung function. The test can be done in the office and involves having the patient exhale (blow) into a spirometer. This determines how much air you lungs can hold (total capacity) and how quickly you can expel the air from your lungs. For a healthy adult, the lung capacity is approximately six (6) liters (Lung Institute, 2017). Depending on the results of the spirometry, your health care professional can prescribe medications to aid in your breathing and might suggest dietary changes and exercises to improve your lung function.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Lung Institute (2017). Lung capacity: what does it mean? Retrieved on April 30, 2018 from https://medlineplus.gov/copd.html

Medline Plus (N.D.). COPD. Retrieved on April 30, 2018 from https://lunginstitute.com/blog/lung-capacity-what-does-it-mean/