c o p d more info. please?

Question

breathing probs.

Answer 1

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, includes asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Asthma can start in childhood or later in life, causes muscle constriction and excess mucus secretion and resulting wheezing, difficulty breathing, and if severe enough, death.
Emphysema, different forms but usually caused by years of smoking, causes a loss of the elasticity of the lungs which causes the person to not be able to exhale fully, usually presents with a barrel shaped chest, due to the trapped air, makes breathing constant work, may need supplemental oxygen for remainder of life in later stages.
Chronic Bronchitis, again usually caused by years of smoking, the glands that secrete mucus, after being irritated for many years, become larger and continue to produce excess amounts of secretions, thick secretions. In addition usually the cilia are damaged, the hair like structures that help to carry the mucus out of the lungs, causing more difficulty in clearing the mucus. Again, this makes breathing much more difficult and may need supplemental oxygen in later stages.
Once you have chronic bronchitis or emphysema the damage is done. The disease is progressive, can be treated but not cured. Asthma is typically easier to manage and a person can continue to live a fairly normal lifestyle with limited interruptions.

This has been brief but I hope it has helped.

Answer 2

My partner was diagnosed with this 6 years ago. He had a bad cough, tight chest, and was generally unfit. He promptly gave up smoking, and started to exercise gently. Now when he has his 6 monthly medical the doctor tells him he's as healthy as ever. So being diagnosd with COPD is no biggie unless you arent prepared to help yourself.

Answer 3

COPD is an accumulation of many breathing and lung disorders into one category. This includes emphysema.