Disease lungs chronic obstructive(COPD) is inflammation of the lungs growing in the long run. COPD is generally characterized by difficulty breathing, coughing up phlegm, and wheezing (wheezing).
The two conditions that most often develop into COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. In chronic bronchitis, damage occurs to the bronchial tubes, whereas in emphysema damage occurs to the alveoli.
COPD is more common in middle-aged people who smoke. Over time, this disease will get worse and risk causing sufferers to develop heart disease and lung cancer.
In addition, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can also increase the risk of sufferers from contracting COVID-19. According to one study, people who have COPD have a 5-fold higher risk of developing COVID-19 compared to people who do not have COPD.
If you have COPD and need a COVID-19 screening, click the link below so you can be directed to the nearest health facility:
- Rapid Test Antibodies
- Antigen Swab (Rapid Test Antigen)
- PCR
Causes and Risk Factors Disease Lungs Chronic Obstruction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease occurs when the airways and lungs are damaged and become inflamed. Some conditions that can increase a person's risk of suffering from this disease are:
- Have a smoking habit or are often exposed to secondhand smoke (passive smoking)
- Exposure to air pollution, for example from road dust, fumes from vehicles, or factory and industrial fumes
- Suffering from asthma, tuberculosis, HIV infection, and genetic disorders that cause protein deficiency alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAt)
- Have a family history of COPD
- 40 years and over
- Female gender
Symptom Disease Lungs Chronic Obstruction
COPD develops slowly and does not show any specific symptoms in its early stages. Symptoms only appear after years, when there has been significant damage to the lungs.
A number of symptoms that are usually experienced by people with COPD are:
- Cough that doesn't go away, which can be accompanied by phlegm
- Shortness of breath, especially when doing physical activity
- Weight loss
- Chest pain
- Wheezing
- Swelling in the legs and feet
- Weak
When to go to the doctor
Immediately consult a doctor if you experience the above symptoms, especially if accompanied by the following complaints:
- Fever
- Heart beat
- Blue lips and fingertips
- Shortness of breath until you can't speak
- Dazed and hard to concentrate
Diagnosis Disease Lungs Chronic Obstruction
To make a diagnosis, the doctor will ask the patient's symptoms and medical history, including a history of smoking habits. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination of the patient's lungs using a stethoscope.
The doctor will perform some of the following investigations to confirm the diagnosis:
- Lung function tests (spirometry), to measure the volume of air inhaled and exhaled by the patient, and to determine whether the lungs can deliver adequate amounts of oxygen into the blood
- Blood test, to measure protein levels alpha-1-antitrypsin in the blood and rule out symptoms caused by other diseases, such as anemia or polycythemia
- Arterial blood gas analysis, to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood
- Scans with X-rays and CT scans, to detect emphysema or other disorders in the lungs
In addition to the tests above, the doctor may also perform other tests to determine the severity of COPD the patient is suffering from. These inspections can be in the form of:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiogram, to determine the condition of the heart
- Examination of sputum samples, to detect possible bacterial or fungal infections
Treatment Disease Lungs Chronic Obstruction
Until now, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can not be completely cured. However, medication can help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease, allowing patients to carry out their normal activities.
The following are some COPD treatment methods:
1. Obat-drugan
Drugs that are usually used to relieve COPD symptoms are inhaled drugs (inhaler) in the form of:
- Bronchodilators, such as salbutamol, salmeterol and terbutaline
- Corticosteroids, such as fluticasone and budesonide
Depending on the patient's condition, the doctor may prescribe the above medicines as a single drug or a combination drug.
If inhaled drugs have not been able to relieve COPD symptoms, the doctor will prescribe oral medication in the form of capsules or tablets. Drugs that can be given include:
- Theophylline, to reduce swelling in the airways
- Mucolytics, such as ambroxol to thin phlegm or mucus
- Enzyme inhibitor phosphodiesterase-4, to clear the airways
- Corticosteroids, to reduce inflammation of the respiratory tract
- Antibiotics, if there are signs of lung infection
2. Oxygen therapy
This therapy aims to provide oxygen supply to the lungs. Patients can use a portable oxygen cylinder that can be taken anywhere.
The duration of the use of oxygen cylinders depends on the patient's condition. Some patients only use it when they are active or while sleeping. However, others have to use it throughout the day.
3. Pulmonary rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation or chest physiotherapy aims to teach patients appropriate physical therapy, proper diet, and to provide emotional and psychological support.
4. Breathing apparatus
If the symptoms are serious enough, the patient must use a breathing apparatus, namely a ventilator machine. A ventilator is a machine that pumps air to help the patient breathe. The ventilator is connected to the patient's respiratory tract through a tube that is inserted into the trachea by means of intubation.
5. Operation
Surgery is performed on patients whose symptoms cannot be relieved by medication or therapy. Types of surgery that can be performed include:
- Lung volume reduction surgery
This surgery aims to remove the damaged part of the lung, so that healthy lung tissue can develop.
- Lung transplant
A lung transplant is the surgical removal of a damaged lung to be replaced with a healthy lung from a donor.
- Bullectomy
Bullectomy is surgery to remove air sacs (bullae) that are formed due to damage to the alveolus, so that airflow becomes better.
In addition to the above treatment, there are several steps that the patient must take to slow the damage to the lungs, namely:
- Stop smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke
- Avoid air pollution, such as vehicle exhaust or combustion
- Using a room humidifier (water humidifier)
- Maintain a healthy diet, drink lots of water, and exercise regularly
- Undergo vaccinations regularly, such as flu and pneumococcal vaccines
- Check with the doctor regularly so that your health condition is monitored
ComplicationsDisease Lungs Chronic Obstruction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease causes sufferers to have difficulty breathing. If left untreated, sufferers can also experience serious complications, such as:
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Dementia
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Drastic weight loss
- Pneumonia
- Pneumothorax
- Lung cancer
- Atrial fibrillation
- Heart failure
- Breathing failure
PreventionDisease Lungs Chronic Obstruction
COPD is a preventable disease. The important thing to do is stop smoking or avoid secondhand smoke. If you are an active smoker, stop smoking immediately, so you can avoid complications that may occur in the future.