Obstructive lung disease, commonly referred to as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD, is a group of respiratory disorders which block airflow into the lungs and make breathing difficult. Disorders include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthmatic bronchitis. Symptoms include difficulty breathing, increased sputum production, wheezing and trouble sleeping. Most cases of COPD are caused by smoking; the disease is often preventable by not smoking or quitting. There is no cure for COPD, and treatment focuses on resolving symptoms and increasing quality of life.
Medications
Most patients with COPD take daily medications to decrease shortness of breath. No one drug is right for all COPD patients, and medications are individualized based on symptoms and needs. Bronchiodilators widen passageways in the lungs by relaxing smooth muscle tissue around the bronchial airways. Anti-inflammatory medications include corticosteroid inhalants and pills; these decrease inflammation inside the lungs. Antibiotic therapy is often introduced if a bacterial infection is present; bacterial infections in the respiratory tract, though rare, may cause severe complications.
Oxygen Therapy
Using supplemental oxygen is often required for COPD patients, as the lungs are unable to properly transfer enough oxygen to the blood. Oxygen therapy decreases respiratory distress and flare-ups, allowing sufferers to participate in daily activities without feeling short of breath.
Oxygen levels are measured using oximetry, or arterial blood gas tests. Oximetry testing is noninvasive: a clip is placed onto a person's finger, toe or earlobe. The device reads the percentage of oxygen in the blood. Arterial blood gases involve taking a sample of arterial blood to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Oxygen therapy is recommended for COPD patients if oxygen saturation falls below 90 percent. Oxygen is administer via concentrators, compressed gas systems and liquids systems. Many devices are portable and allow a person to remain active. Oxygen therapy does not damage lungs, and oxygen use is not addictive.
Surgery
Some COPD patients who have a severe form of emphysema may benefit from surgery. Emphysema occurs when the bronchioles, or small air sacs in the lungs, are destroyed--often from smoking. According to the Mayo Clinic, two common surgeries are lung volume reduction surgery and a lung transplant. Lung volume reduction is preformed by surgically removing damaged lung tissue to create more space in the chest cavity for the remaining healthy lungs to work efficiently. However, there are a variety of risks to this surgery, and long-term results may be similar to nonsurgical treatment options. A single-lung transplant is also an option for some COPD patients meeting specific criteria, though there is an extensive waiting list for the operation. The surgery does not appear to prolong life; however, the transplant allows a COPD patient to breathe easier and become more active, suggests the Mayo Clinic.
