What is COPD and 5 home remedies
Did you know that COPD is one of the leading causes of death?
According to the Centers for disease control and prevention, in the year 2018, COPD was the fourth major cause of mortality in the US.
WHAT IS COPD?
It is an abbreviation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD is a long-term collection of lung diseases. Two of the common diseases are:
- Emphysema
An illness in which alveoli (air sacs in lungs) are ruptured which causes shortness of breath. Smoking is the main reason behind emphysema. It leads to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
- Chronic bronchitis
Inflammation and swelling of the lower respiratory tract. A disorder that mostly affects smokers. Characterization of chronic bronchitis can be frequent and regular cough along with the large quantity of sputum.
Usually, individuals suffering from COPD have both of these disorders. It becomes hard for the patients to breathe properly because of the obstruction in the airways. Conditions like asthma may also develop over time. Progression time is gradual and gets worse over time. Vaping tobacco smoke, cigars, pipes, etc. play the chief role in developing COPD. Other causes can be asthma, poor air quality, genetic differences, and certain allergens.
Physical examination, spirometry, and breathing tests are the common diagnostic procedures. Your physician may suggest more advanced tests to figure out other lung issues or heart problems. Such as, blood tests, CT scans, X-rays of the chests, lung functioning tests, and various laboratory testing. These patients are at high risk and more prone to the COVID-19 pandemic due to weak immune systems.
Research (Epidemiology, Prevalence, Morbidity and Mortality, and Disease Heterogeneity) shows the health and economic crisis all over the world especially in the United States of America.
A collection of data by CDC and (BRFSS) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System shows the percentage of age-adjusted COPD prevalence of different states. State Factsheets — COPD states.
Easy Home Remedies:
Let’s head over to simple and effective remedies that may help you:
1. Do Not Stress
Stress triggers and worsens the condition. Any kind of depression, mood disturbance, or anxiety gives rise to COPD attacks. Including stress management therapies in your daily routine will show significant positive outcomes. Dealing with emotional and seasonal outbreaks through mindfulness, deep breathing, and meditation improves respiratory health.
The Experience of Learning Meditation and Mind/Body Practices in the COPD Population — ScienceDirect indicates an improvement in physical and emotional stress. This learning experience can contribute to other chronic disorders as well.
2. Abandon Smoking
Smoking destructs the respiratory system. Evidence finds vaping to lead to various types of lung disease, eventually causing COPD. Smokers are at high risk of severe symptoms. It is the vital reason for deaths due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in the US.
Second-hand smoking also develops this illness. Practice cessation strategies are given by your doctor. Biomass smoke is a result of the combustion of many fuels that pollutes air which may give rise to certain lung morbidities.
This study “Risk of COPD From Exposure to Biomass Smoke Direct” involves both women and men indicating biomass as a risk factor. It compares people exposed to biomass and people who are not exposed having an odd ratio.
3. Maintain Your Weight
Maintaining a healthy weight is a success for such patients. Underweight patients are at a greater chance of death in comparison to overweight.
On the other hand, obesity upsurges many other diseases like heart issues, diabetes, hypertension, and cholesterol increment. These health issues are more harmful to patients with COPD. This excessive weight affects the functioning of the lungs and shortness of breath (dyspnea).
Bodyweight and mortality in COPD: focus on the obesity paradox | Springer Link finds a relationship between obesity, COPD, and death.
4. Stay Active and Exercise
Working on your fitness regime and staying active is key for COPD management. Though, it becomes hard for some individuals to work out because of breathing problems. Hence, breathing exercises, inhaling fresh and pure air contribute well.
A list of these exercises helps:
· Aerobics
· Aqua-aerobics
· Bi-cycling
· Walking
· Jogging
· Swimming
· Rope Jumping
· Arm Circles
· Calf Raising
· Diaphragm Exercise
· Deep Breathing
· Leg Extension
· Chair Dance
You can review these Specific efficacy expectations that mediate exercise compliance in patients ) for more details.
5. Improve the quality of air
Improving the quality of air inside the home is necessary to protect the sufferers from frequent attacks. The environment should be free of unwanted wastes, smoke, chemicals, pollutant, allergens, pesticides, varnishes, pet dander, and dust.
Some suggest a warm climate as the most feasible for COPD patients. However, a high amount of humidity can be unfavorable for regular breathing.
You can upgrade the standard of air by:
· Deep cleaning every hook and corner of the house at least a week
· Increase airflow by ventilating
· Introducing Air filtration techniques
· Vacuuming
· Washing the dirt away
Have a look at the extensive Impact of air quality guidelines on sufferers).
Synopsis:
COPD is a threat to human life. It not only destructs the respiratory system but also endangers the immunity of the body.
One can not even diagnose the progression in the initial years. It can affect smokers and non-smokers.
Proper medications should be taken, right after the diagnosis of this illness.
Statistics:
It was one of the leading causes of death worldwide in 2019 | Statista with ischemic heart disease and stroke.
This stat presents Comorbidities among those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease US 2019 | Statista.
As of that year, around 11.3 percent of adults in Kentucky suffered from COPD.Prevalence of COPD US by state 2017 | Statista
Author’s Bio: Javeria is a fellow Pharm.D student specialized in Professional Health and Medical writing. You can follow her here.
REFERENCES:
1. COPD: Stages, Causes, Treatment, and More (healthline.com)
2. What is COPD? (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) | British Lung Foundation (blf.org.uk)
3. CDC — Basics About COPD — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
4. COPD: Symptoms, Causes, Types, Diagnosis, Treatment (webmd.com)
5. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
6. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Symptoms, Treatment & More (clevelandclinic.org)
7. What is COPD? (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) | COPD.com
8. COPD — Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment (radiologyinfo.org)
9. What Is COPD? Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention | Everyday Health
10. Can marijuana cause COPD? Can it treat it? (medicalnewstoday.com)
11. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (who. int)
