COPD
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Sunit R Patel, M.D., F.C.C.P., D.A.B.S.M.
Pulmonary & Sleep Specialist located in Merced & Turlock, CA
Someone dies of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) every four minutes in the United States. At his offices in Merced and Turlock, California, experienced pulmonary disease specialist Sunit R. Patel, MD, focuses on early diagnosis and treatment to dramatically slow disease progression. Book your appointment online or call the nearest office to arrange your COPD assessment.
COPD Q & A
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases that disrupt your ability to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD:
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis is a severe, long-lasting type of bronchitis. It occurs when the bronchial tube lining grows highly inflamed, leading to a persistent, mucus-producing cough.
Emphysema
Emphysema occurs when the air sacs in your lungs are damaged. Normally, your lungs contain many small air sacs, but emphysema eventually causes those sacs to break open. This leads to less oxygen in your body, difficulty eliminating carbon dioxide, and shortness of breath.
Most people with COPD have bronchitis and emphysema symptoms, which is why they're categorized as one condition.
What are the symptoms of COPD?
There are four stages of COPD, with symptoms increasing at each stage.
Stage 1
Stage 1 features fairly mild COPD symptoms, including a persistent cough. The cough may or may not produce extra mucus. The other key symptom is shortness of breath during physical exertion.
Stage 2
In stage 2, your cough produces mucus, which may be particularly bad when you first wake up. The shortness of breath happens with even minor activities like cleaning the house. You may begin wheezing. Insomnia and daytime tiredness are also common.
Stage 3
In stage 3, you may develop new issues including lower body edema (swelling), chest tightness, difficulty taking a full breath, frequent respiratory tract infections, and frequent wheezing.
Stage 4
In final-stage COPD, all the symptoms of stage 3 continue to worsen. You may have constant wheezing, high blood pressure, breathlessness, and unintended weight loss. Some people develop a barrel-shaped chest due to extreme lung swelling.
The earlier you start treatment, the better you can slow COPD progression and improve your quality of life.
What causes COPD?
By far, the most common cause of COPD is tobacco smoking. Although it's uncommon, you can also develop COPD after prolonged exposure to secondhand smoke, pollution, or dust.
How is COPD diagnosed?
At Sunit R. Patel, MD, the team performs pulmonary function tests to determine the extent of your symptoms and lung damage. You may need chest X-rays or other imaging, as well.
These tests can determine the stage of your COPD and also diagnose conditions like asthma.
What is the treatment for COPD?
COPD treatment can include both lifestyle and medical approaches. If you smoke, you must stop. It's the best way to slow disease progression.
Inhaled or oral medications can improve airway function and reduce inflammation. In late-stage COPD, you may need supplemental oxygen.
For personalized COPD treatment and improved quality of life, call the Sunit R. Patel, MD, office nearest you or schedule an appointment online.
