This week, we are conducting World COPD Week, so let us understand something about COPD. It is a condition of the lung handled by a pulmonologist.
The most common cause of this condition is smoking. because of smoking, the small airways of the lung undergo obstruction, and hence the patient has difficulty in breathing because of inflammation.
There is increase amount of cough production. Gradually, as a breathing vs, there is retention of air called air trapping in the lungs because of which breathing becomes more difficult.
Eventually, Patient start retaining their carbon dioxide. They also have decrease in oxygen levels, which makes them having breathing difficulty even during minimal activity currently COPD is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality all over the world.
It is also a very common cause of frequent ICU admissions. If you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you need to visit your lung specialist doctor, the doctor will conduct certain investigations to confirm the diagnosis.
Most important investigations are to do an x-ray chest or a CT scan of the chest. Wherever indicated Pulmonologist will also conduct a pulmonary function test.
In certain cases, You may also have to undergo an arterial blood gas analysis once the diagnosis is confirmed, the Pulmonologist may take further history to categorise, the risk cateogory of COPD for a particular patient.
The Pulmonologist will be start you on certain medications. Most important ones are inhaler. In some cases, They may also prescribe nebulisation various physiotherapy exercises like deep breathing ones or minimal strength training exercises are also prescribed.
If there is retention of carbon dioxide, then the lung specialist doctor may also prescribe you a non-invasive ventilation. Non-invasive ventilation is a technique in which a mask is connected to a small ventilator.
The mask is fitted on the face of the patient, different amount of pressures are delivered via the ventilator to the lungs with the help of the mask, this helps in getting the carbon dioxide out of the system.
Many new advances in treatment of COPD are underway, most important of which is thermal vapour ablution as it is now available India.
Other interventional Pulmonology techniques like valve insertion, coil insertion, Nerve dampening procedures are also available over the world, but the most important treatment for COPD patients remain suggestion of smoking.