Diagnosing, Treating and Living with COPD

Other conditions besides COPD can cause symptoms like a chronic cough or mucus build up. Your doctor must do a lung function test, called spirometry, to confirm a diagnosis of COPD. Doctors also ask about any risk factors you had, such as smoking, exposure to dust or other irritants, and a family history of lung disease. They may also order blood work or a chest X-ray to uncover what might be causing your symptoms.

Spirometry

The most accurate lung function test used to diagnose COPD is called spirometry. A spirometer is a simple device that measures:

• the amount of air that moves in or out of your lungs, called vital capacity;

• the amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled in a specific period of time, called forced expiratory volume; and

• how fast the air moves, called flow rate.

Spirometry is important because it can detect early-stage declines in lung function, even if you do not have symptoms.

Asthma or COPD?

COPD is often confused with asthma because some of the symptoms are very similar- a cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness in the chest.
• The main difference between these two diseases is that with asthma, the inflammation in the lungs can be reversed with treatment. With COPD, symptoms can be controlled, but the lung damage cannot be reversed.

• Also asthma often begins at an early age. COPD tends to strike adults age 40 or older.

• Smoking is not directly related to getting asthma, but smokers are at the highest risk for getting COPD.

• People with asthma usually get symptoms of breathlessness when they are exposed to a trigger in the environment, while those with COPD get breathless when exerting themselves or while at rest.

• Asthma may or may not cause a cough, but people with COPD may cough intermittently or even daily.

Treating COPD

COPD develops slowly through stages. The kinds of treatment you receive will depend on your stage of COPD. The goals of treatment are to prevent further

lung damage, relieve symptoms, prevent and treat complications, and improve overall health and quality of life.

Treatments include:

• Vaccines to prevent infection,

• Medications to open airways or to reduce inflammation, and

• Oxygen therapy to increase the level of oxygen in the blood.

Patients also can go to pulmonary rehabilitation to build endurance and strength and to learn more about living with their condition. If the COPD worsens, more aggressive treatments, such as an operation to remove part of the lung, may help bring relief for certain patients.

Effects on Your Life

COPD is a serious illness that can affect your everyday life in many ways. You may tire more easily when exerting yourself and you may be more susceptible to lung infections. You may have to depend on others to help more than you once did.

But having COPD does not mean that you can't enjoy your life. You can play a big role in how well you will feel and function. By taking steps to improve your breathing and fitness, you should be able to do most of the things you did before having COPD.

Managing Your COPD

There are many things you can do to improve how you feel and to slow the progression of COPD. If you're a smoker, the most important thing you can do is quit smoking. Even cutting down on the number of cigarettes can help your overall health. You can also do things to improve your general health, conserve your energy, manage your stress, and decrease the risk of lung infections.