Chronic breathing problems can be managed for improved quality of life

People who experience shortness of breath may write it off as bronchitis, a chest cold, allergies, exercise- or allergy-induced asthma, or as the inevitable effects of aging. But shortness of breath is never normal.

If the condition has persisted for months with little relief, regardless of age, it could be a condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD.

What is COPD?

COPD, often called emphysema or chronic bronchitis, is not a temporary illness. It’s a persistent condition that affects lung function, making it difficult to breathe and impairing the ability to do the things you want to.

It involves inflammation and thickening of the airways and destruction of the tissue lining where oxygen is exchanged. It is irreversible and progressively gets worse over time. It can happen to people of any age, but is most common in people over the age of 45.

While it is not curable, COPD can be managed – and the progression of the disease slowed – with medications and treatments. The earlier the condition is recognized, the more successful the treatment will be.

What are the risk factors?

▪  Smoking — the primary risk factor

▪ Exposure to second-hand smoke

▪  Occupational exposure to certain industrial dust or chemicals

▪ Heredity

▪  Having a history of childhood respiratory infections

▪  Environment – inadequate living conditions, poor access to health care

Is it dangerous?

COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 12 million people are known to have COPD and up to 24 million may have the disease to some degree and not know it.

Often, it is not found until the disease is advanced because people do not know the warning signs or neglect to get medical help in treating their shortness of breath. However, if it can be found early there are ways to treat and manage it, and slow the rate of progression.

Know the symptoms:

▪ Chronic cough, with or without sputum

▪ Shortness of breath while doing everyday activities; episodes becoming more frequent and worse

▪  Frequent respiratory infections

▪  Blueness of the lips or fingernail beds

▪  Fatigue

▪  Producing a lot of mucus (sputum or phlegm)

▪  Wheezing

▪ Unable to keep up with people of your own age

Getting treatment

If you experience any of the above symptoms, or think you might be at risk for COPD, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Don’t wait for symptoms to become severe because valuable treatment time could be lost and the condition may become worse. Early detection is important for successful treatment.

Testing for COPD involves a spirometry, a simple test in which you blow air into a mouthpiece on a small machine that measures how much and how fast you can blow.

Your doctor will also ask for a complete health history and do a health exam, and may also request a chest x-ray or other tests.

If you are diagnosed with COPD, you and your doctor will discuss a treatment plan.

Treatment may include:

▪ Medication

Bronchodilators relax the muscles around the airways, making it easier to breathe. Most are taken using an inhaler to allow the medicine to go straight to the lungs, but some are taken orally.

Other medications can actually stop the muscles around the airways from tightening. They also help clear mucus away from the lungs, and the open airways allow it to be coughed out more easily.

They can be short-acting or long-acting and can be delivered by either an inhaler or a nebulizer, which is a breathing treatment delivered by a small machine that converts medication from a liquid to a mist so it is easier to inhale.

Anti-inflammatories help reduce the swelling and mucus production inside the airways, making it easier to breathe. These medicines are also called corticosteroids or steroids and are most often inhaled.

▪ Pulmonary rehabilitation

This therapy helps rebuild strength so you can enjoy a fuller, more active life. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs typically combine education, exercise training, nutrition advice and counseling.

▪ Supplemental oxygen

Oxygen may be required for people with severe COPD to enable their body and brain to perform basic functions.

If you suspect you may have COPD, talk to your doctor. Proper treatment can help you breathe better, have fewer flareups and do more of the things you want to do.

Reminder: People with COPD are at a far greater risk of having serious complications from the flu and pneumonia so it’s important to get an annual flu vaccination. Talk to your doctor about getting a pneumonia vaccine.

This story was originally published November 21, 2014 at 7:56 PM with the headline "Chronic breathing problems can be managed for improved quality of life."