COPD: How to manage progression

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a progressive lung disease. It is characterized by a persistent
cycle of one or more of the following: Emphysema, Chronic bronchitis, interstitial lung disease,
pulmonary fibrosis, Bronchiectasis and Pneumoconiosis. It affects millions of people in the world over.
More than half of COPD patients do not know they have it. The symptoms can easily be mistaken for the
common cold or simply just allergies. COPD is progressive and in most cases fatal. It important that
patients make known their wishes for end of life care when diagnosed, especially if they are in stage 4 of
the disease. The speed of progression varies from one patient to another which makes it difficult to
track life expectancy. COPD may be brought on by inhaling pollutants or it may be genetic. Either way
one needs to keep an eye out for cardiac, musculoskeletal, psychiatric, pulmonary and systemic
symptoms. COPD onset is characterized by increased breathlessness, frequent coughing and wheezing
and tightness in the chest. The difference between death, round the clock oxygen therapy and just the
occasional pill popping will depend on how fast the patient gets to the hospital when they notice any of
the symptoms.
Simple management
It is of utmost importance that a human being, whether sick or not, sticks to a healthy diet and exercise
regimen. These help maintain an optimum quality of life and prevent lifestyle diseases. The same advice
applies to people who are looking to prevent COPD. Often people with the disease will face triggers that
cause flare-ups. It is fairly easy to have less to nil exacerbations by keeping warm in the cold season,
staying away from cigarettes and avoiding strong scents. Other factors that may cause COPD to worsen
are altered mental status and severe baseline COPD. A baseline COPD is the ratio of forced expiratory
volume in one second to forced vital capacity. A severe baseline COPD will be less than 0.7. COPD may
often cause interrupted sleep due to low oxygen saturation in the blood. A patient should sleep on their
side and elevate the head to allow for proper airflow. It is also imperative that they look into breathing
exercises. These will come in handy during flare-ups.
Stages are classified as mild, moderate or severe. The level in which the flare-up lies determines the
course of treatment. Mild exacerbation is treated by adjusting the current course of treatment. In this
case, the physician will only increase the dosage of current medication. At this stage one can also
consider stem cell therapy.
Corticosteroids
A moderate flare up will require corticosteroids or antibiotics. Inhalation or a pill administers
corticosteroids. They reduce inflammation. The oral form is preferred but may be administered
intravenously if necessary. This therapy decreases the risk of treatment failure in the future and
subsequent exacerbation. Corticosteroids improve the baseline COPD by increasing the forced
expiratory volume in one second. This course of treatment however causes weight gain, bloating and
changes in blood sugar and pressure. When COPD exacerbates, it causes a buildup of fluid in the lungs.
Bacteria grow in fluid. Consequently, an infection develops. The antibiotics treat the infection.

Prescription of narrow or broad spectrum depends on the microbial patterns. However, research has
shown that use of broad-spectrum antibiotics has a lower chance of failure than narrow spectrum.
Bronchodilators
Bronchodilators are used to reduce respiratory resistance and smoothen airflow by relaxing the muscles
around the airways. They are usually preferred in the form of inhalers but also come in other forms.
There are beta agonist bronchodilators, which provide easy breathing and may be even taken before
exercise to increase tolerance of physical activity. Anticholinergics block parasympathetic nerve
impulses to improve dyspnea and increase exercise tolerance. Bronchodilators can be quick acting or
long acting. The quick acting ones are meant for emergencies and provide relief within minutes. They
will relax the airways immediately allowing the patient to breathe with more ease. Long acting
bronchodilators are usually used with inhaled steroids. These are for long-term use and may be taken
twice or once a day as directed by the doctor.
Supplemental oxygen therapy
Severe exacerbation is a major cause for concern. It can scare an onlooker into inaction but if attended
to quickly crisis can be averted. If the patient experiences chest pain, blue lips, unresponsiveness,
agitation and confusion, they should be rushed to the nearest hospital as a severe flare up will require
hospitalization. In patient death from COPD is 3 to 4 percent but the percentage of death in patients
who do not seek medical attention on time is considerably higher.
COPD exacerbation comes with breathing difficulties. This lowers the oxygen saturation levels, which
should be in the 90 th percentile. Supplemental oxygen therapy is performed as directed by the physician
after examination. There are noninvasive techniques to deliver oxygen but in some cases, the patient is
unable tolerate those. For example in cases where they have severe comorbid conditions. In such cases
invasive mechanical ventilation is paramount. Patients undergoing this therapy require close watch as
complications can occur. The critical patients can retain carbon dioxide, which is incredibly dangerous to
the system. Pulmonary embolism, which is blockage of a blood vessel in the lung, can also occur. This is
deadly at worst and damaging to the lung at best.
Hope for better
There is no cure for COPD, only periodic relief. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that are capable of
giving rise to infinitely more cells. They are harvested from one part of the body and when reused in
another, they have the ability to adapt to that new part. The lungs were previously thought to have no
stem cells but trials and research have proved otherwise. It proved that not only did the lungs have stem
cells but that stem cells from other parts of the body could be used to repair the damaged parts of this
vital organ. The processed stem cells are delivered into the body intravenously where they go straight to
the right side of the heart. Then they are directed to the lungs where they are caught in the pulmonary
trap. Experts project they can halt the progression of COPD if they do stem cell therapy in the early
stages. The positive effects can be seen within a few weeks and wellness can last up to a year. With

advancements in the use of stem cells, in future it might be possible for patients to get healthy lungs to
replace their damaged ones.
Researchers are making headway into more effective courses of treatment for COPD. At the current
rate, a cure is imminent. In the meantime, patients may take up yoga, read COPD blogs and join support
groups.