COPD

What is COPD?

COPD stands for chronic (long-term, does not go away entirely) obstructive (air is unable to flow properly) pulmonary (related to the lungs) disease (an unhealthy condition of the body). This disorder is the third leading cause of death in the United States.

COPD is a term that refers to a few different conditions that all result in obstructive lung dysfunction, but each has a different cause for this obstruction.

These three types of COPD are:

• Emphysema: where air gets “trapped” in the air pockets (alveoli) of the lungs because these pockets have been damaged in some way
• Asthma: when the breathing tubes (bronchioles) have periods where they do not react properly, interrupting the proper flow of air
• Chronic Bronchitis: when the bronchioles (breathing tubes) are chronically irritated and “clogged” with mucus; this often looks like a chronic cough

If you have COPD, you may have one or more of these disorders.

What is the cause of COPD?

In most cases, COPD is caused by exposure to something that damages the lung structures and tissues. In around 80-90% of cases of COPD, smoking is the primary cause.

Exposure to second-hand smoke or other harmful chemicals over an extended period is also a major contributing factor to the presence and worsening of COPD.

In a tiny number of COPD sufferers, a genetic problem called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is the cause of their COPD. Scientists are currently studying other genetic causes.

What are the symptoms of COPD?

If you have any of these symptoms, especially when they do not improve over an extended period, Dr. Gelbert may suspect you have COPD:

• Increasing shortness of breath
• “Barrel” shaped chest
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Blue-tinted lips or fingernails
• Fatigue
• Wheezing
• Excessive mucus production
• Chronic cough

What are the treatment options for COPD?

As an experienced practitioner in the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of patients suffering from COPD, Dr. Gelbert explores a combination of several treatment options to create a plan of care that’s customized for you. Some options she may consider are:

• Counsel to quit smoking
• Medication/Support to quit smoking
• Medication therapy
• Breathing treatments
• Steroid therapy
• Supplemental (home) oxygen
• Pulmonary rehabilitation (exercises)

As a specialist in Family Medicine, Dr. Gelbert uses her expertise in the field to create a plan of care for your COPD that’s specialized and manageable for you in the long term.

For your own specialized plan of care, call or book an appointment online today.