Emphysema And Chronic Bronchitis: Living With COPD

If you've been diagnosed with emphysema, you've probably been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis as well, or vice versa. These two diseases are commonly grouped into one category and referred to as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, by most physicians. According to the American Lung Association (ALA), COPD is one of the leading causes of death in America. Here is an in-depth look at these two forms of COPD and how to live with them.

Emphysema

Emphysema described the damaged air sacs in a person's lungs, causing them to lose their elasticity. These air sacs are vital for the exchange of oxygen that is inhaled from the air and the carbon dioxide in the blood. Eventually, damage to these air sacs results in permanent fissures in the tissues of a person's lungs. The end result of emphysema is a limited air supply, which causes a person to frequently feel out of breath, especially during any physical activity.

Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis occurs when the airways to the body's lungs are damaged and also lose their elasticity. The affected airways limit the amount of air being passed, resulting in a hoarse cough. The cough then causes an excess of mucus that further blocks the airways, resulting in constant shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness.

The Relationship Between Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are so closely related, they have been placed into one category - COPD. Physicians will often refer to both diseases as COPD since one disease often accompanies the other. The reason for this is they are both likely caused by the same thing: cigarette smoking.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause for COPD, although long-term exposure to other airborne irritants like dust, pollution and chemical fumes may also cause this condition. However, according to the ALA, approximately 85 to 90 percent of all COPD deaths are related to smoking. This is why it is so important to quit smoking if a person has yet to be affected by COPD.

Both emphysema and chronic bronchitis are gradual diseases, meaning they don't suddenly appear like other conditions or infections. Prolonged exposure to irritants, primarily tobacco smoke, is the only way one would obtain COPD. Interestingly enough, many people who suffer from emphysema and chronic bronchitis attribute their declining health, harsh cough, incessant wheezing, and difficulty breathing with "smoker's lung" or "smoker's cough." Sadly, those who ignore signs and symptoms of COPD visit their health care provider after their condition is in an advanced state, leading to life-threatening respiratory problems and even heart failure.

Is There a Cure for COPD?

Unfortunately, there is no cure, or form of treatment for emphysema or chronic bronchitis, as COPD is a progressive disease that gradually becomes worse over time. However, there are certain steps and lifestyle changes that can be made to improve one's quality of life.

• Quit smoking. If you smoke, it is never too late to quit. The first step that anyone should look towards when dealing with emphysema and chronic bronchitis is to put a stop to cigarette smoke immediately. Even though there is no way to stop COPD, people can still slow the damage to their lungs by quitting.
• Breathing exercises. With COPD, regular breathing can become quite a task. Exercise and physical activity also becomes excruciatingly difficult to deal with. Those suffering from COPD can be sent to a respiratory therapist who can teach them special breathing exercises to improve their respiratory system. Pursed-lips and diaphragm breathing exercises may not reverse the effects of COPD, but they can make breathing easier for those suffering from emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
• Lifestyle changes. Those suffering from COPD must learn to adopt a healthier lifestyle. This includes more exercise and healthier eating habits. Many people with COPD may find any form of exercise to be quite difficult because of shortness of breath, difficulty breathing and an overall lack of endurance. However, they must push through the pain if they wish to take back some control of their life and physical ability from COPD.
• Consult a physician regularly. Regular check-ups and visiting the doctor anytime complications arise is important for managing COPD. The biggest mistake anyone can make is ignoring signs and symptoms of COPD, as this will only make the condition worse. With the aid of professionally trained experts and specialists, one can manage COPD and receive the proper treatment and diagnosis to prevent further complications.

Sources:

• ALA
• Mayo Clinic
• WebMD
• National Heart Lung and Blood Institute