Know how to differentiate the main lung diseases – 12/13/2023 – Balance and Health

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a chronic lung condition that causes difficulty breathing. Its main cause is cigarettes, accounting for around 90% of cases, and its secondary cause is exposure to toxic substances in the air, such as pollution and smoke from burning wood and coal, accounting for the remainder of cases.

According to the WHO (World Health Organization), around 3 million deaths per year are caused by the disease, which is silent. COPD differs from other lung diseases, such as pneumonia and tuberculosis, due to its chronic and irreversible nature. See below some of the characteristics of the condition, the main symptoms and the types of treatments available.

What is COPD?
COPD is a disease characterized by airway obstruction due to loss of lung tissue. While pneumonia and tuberculosis are acute lung infections that can be treated with antibiotics, COPD is a chronic condition that permanently affects the lungs and is not contagious.

There are two main manifestations of COPD, chronic bronchitis, when there is a lot of secretion and obstruction of the bronchi, through which air passes to the lungs, and pulmonary emphysema, when there is loss of lung tissue (parenchyma).

Although COPD is more common in older individuals, smokers and those with unhealthy habits, it can also occur in children and adolescents, although it is less common. Exposure to secondhand smoke, recurrent respiratory infections, and genetic conditions can contribute to the development of COPD at younger ages.

What are the differences between COPD, bronchitis and asthma?
People with COPD have chronic and irreversible airway obstruction, while bronchitis and asthma are reversible inflammatory diseases of the airways. There is no direct association between asthma and COPD, but some people may have both diagnoses. However, people with an asthmatic predisposition may have an increased risk of developing COPD in adulthood.

What are the most common symptoms?
The main symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath, which can even affect day-to-day activities such as changing clothes or taking a shower, clearing the throat, wheezing attacks, chronic cough, expectoration (cough with secretion that worsens in the morning), among others. .

How is the diagnosis made?
The diagnosis of COPD is made through a combination of clinical assessment, lung function tests and imaging tests. The doctor may perform a physical examination to evaluate symptoms and listen to the lungs, in addition to ordering tests such as spirometry, which measures lung capacity, and chest x-rays, to assess the structure of the lungs.

If you have been diagnosed with COPD, it is important to follow the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor. This may include regularly taking medications, participating in pulmonary rehabilitation programs, adopting healthy lifestyle habits such as quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to toxic substances, and regularly monitoring lung function. It is also important to be aware of signs of worsening symptoms and seek medical assistance when necessary.

What are the treatments? Is there a cure?
Although COPD has no cure, there are treatments available to control symptoms and improve quality of life. According to André Nathan Costa, pulmonologist at Hospital Sírio-Libanês, there are four types of treatments for COPD. The first would be to stop smoking, which will reduce exposure to lung-toxic substances.

The second type of treatment includes medication to relieve symptoms, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.

The third type is pulmonary rehabilitation, with physiotherapy, explains the doctor. And the fourth could be the prevention of other infectious diseases through vaccination. “Why vaccination? Because infectious diseases are the main cause of exacerbation, which is when you have a stable chronic disease and suddenly have a worsening condition. So vaccination, whether against viruses or bacteria, is also a treatment for COPD. “

Furthermore, in very serious cases, when there is irreparable loss of the lung, patients may require a lung transplant.