Seniors and COPD

07/28/2015
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What is COPD & What You Should Know?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common illness in the elderly. Nearly four million seniors have been diagnosed with the condition and it kills more than 120,000 Americans each year. It can also cause serious, long-term disability. But what exactly is it, what are the symptoms, and remedies? That’s something every senior should know.

COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that usually becomes clinically apparent later in life, and it can lead to significant morbidity and premature death. It primarily refers to two conditions that compromise breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

While inhaled cigarette smoke is the most common cause of COPD, other noxious particles such as smoke from biomass fuels and occupational dusts and chemicals can also contribute to the chronic inflammation encountered with COPD. This chronic inflammatory response may induce parenchymal tissue destruction (resulting in emphysema), and disrupt normal repair and defense mechanisms (resulting in small airway fibrosis). These pathological changes lead to air trapping and progressive airflow limitation, which result in the characteristic symptoms of COPD.

Symptoms of COPD include:

  • Constant coughing, sometimes called “smoker’s cough”
  • Shortness of breath while doing activities you used to be able to do
  • Excess sputum production
  • Feeling like you can’t breathe
  • Not being able to take a deep breath
  • Wheezing

A clinical diagnosis can be made when a patient has these symptoms and/or a history of exposure to risk factors. Along with the inhalation of cigarette smoke or noxious particles, risk factors include age, gender, socioeconomic status, and a history of respiratory infections. COPD develops slowly, and can worsen over time, so be sure to report any symptoms you might have to your doctor as soon as possible, no matter how mild they may seem.

Treating COPD

Although there is no cure for COPD, treatments and lifestyle changes can help manage symptoms:

  1. Quit Smoking
    Quitting smoking is the most important step you can take to treat COPD. Talk with your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit.
  2. COPD Medications
    Bronchodilators are medications that work by relaxing the muscles around your airways. This helps open your airways and makes breathing easier. Inhaled steroids are used for some people with moderate or severe COPD. They work to reduce the inflammation or swelling in the airways.
  3. Vaccines
    Doctors recommend that people with COPD get an annual flu shot to avoid any breathing complications from the flu and a pneumococcal vaccine to prevent pneumonia.
  4. Pulmonary Rehabilitation
    In addition to medications, doctors may recommend pulmonary or lung rehabilitation (rehab) to help people with COPD stay active. Pulmonary rehabilitation may include exercise training, nutritional counseling, and education about managing the disease.
  5. Oxygen Therapy
    For this treatment, the patient is given oxygen through nasal prongs or a mask. They may need extra oxygen all the time or only at certain times.
  6. Surgery
    Surgeries for people who have COPD that’s mainly related to emphysema include bullectomy (bul-EK-toe-me) and lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS). A lung transplant might be an option for people who have very severe COPD.

Treatment for COPD can be different for each person and is based on whether symptoms are mild, moderate, or severe. There are also treatments to manage complications or a sudden onset of symptoms. It’s most important to be aware of the signs and symptoms, and if you notice any in yourself or a senior loved one, speak to a doctor right away.

If you’re presently seeking a senior apartment, independent-living, assisted-living, or other continuing-care community for yourself or a senior loved one, visit alternativesforseniors.com to assist your search. Alternatives for Seniors is a print and online directory that specifically caters to the housing and personal care concerns of senior citizens and their families. You can also call our Senior Specialists at (888) WE-ASSIST (888-932-7747).

 

BLOG Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2015
Writer: Ryan Allen