COPD – Types, symptoms, and flare-up management options

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a severe, long-term lung condition that includes chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. The disease makes it difficult for the air to pass through the airways comfortably, leading to obstructive breathing. According to studies, chronic lower respiratory diseases, including COPD, are the leading causes of death in the country. While the illness is manageable, COPD flare-ups can cause discomfort. Here’s what you need to know about the condition and its management options.

Types of COPD

• Chronic bronchitis
  Chronic Bronchitis is a condition characterized by persistent coughing that lasts at least three weeks. This happens when the breathing tubes, called bronchi, are inflamed and irritated, further leading to thick mucus buildup. Air pollution, dust, and smoke particles can all contribute to the development of this illness.
• Emphysema
  This condition causes shortness of breath due to the air sacs (alveoli) being damaged in the lungs. With time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and can even rupture, leading to difficulty breathing.

COPD flare-ups
If one experiences shortness of breath, excessive wheezing or coughing, or producing more phlegm, one might have a COPD flare-up, also called an exacerbation. The symptoms of the disease are visibly worse than usual and require additional treatment. While the intensity of the flare-up ranges from moderate to severe, frequent exacerbation can cause lung damage which can be irreversible.

Signs and symptoms
Some of the signs of a flare-up include fever, scratchy throat, and other similar signs of cold, swollen ankles, coughing with mucus that is green, tan, or red in color, fatigue, unusual sleepiness or drowsiness, and a confused state of mind.

Some signs of an emergency include drowsiness, chest pains, shortness of breath, lips or fingers turning blue, or inability to think clearly. An emergency treatment kit may help, but if the symptoms worsen, consult a doctor at the earliest.

Treatment options
While some lifestyle changes may help manage the illness, treatment plans may help control the flare-ups to a great extent.

• Muscle relaxers
  These treatment options help relax the muscles around the airways, easing symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing. The effects of these relaxers last up to 4 to 6 hours. Usually, this kind of treatment is prescribed when one experiences uncomfortable symptoms.
• Prescription
  BREZTRI is a long-term treatment plan that treats COPD symptoms and even reduces the number of flare-ups experienced. The recommended dosage of the inhaler is two inhalations twice a day. Also, note that BREZTRI is not a treatment to relieve sudden breathing problems, therefore, it may not be effective for asthma.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation
  This is a program designed to help manage COPD and its symptoms. It includes breathing exercises, nutritional therapy, exercise routine, healthy lifestyle counseling, and tracking and journaling progress through the treatment program.

Preventive measures
Some preventive measures to ensure the flare-ups are not as frequent or severe include getting a flu shot (against pneumonia), avoiding big gatherings or crowds, washing hands regularly, and avoiding the use of fragrant cleaning products or perfumes.