COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
(Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
In this condition factsheet:
The Facts on COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are together called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. This is a chronic condition, usually attributed to tobacco smoking, causing shortness of breath and cough, leading to limitation of everyday activities like walking.
In chronic bronchitis, the airways (or bronchi) that connect the windpipe and the lungs become inflamed and swollen. The airways become narrow and are clogged up with thick mucus, called phlegm. Chronic bronchitis may be found together with emphysema, in which the air sacs in the lung become damaged, reducing the surface area where oxygen exchange takes place. Both diseases make it difficult to breathe.
COPD is a very common condition, especially among people who smoke tobacco. It is estimated over 2 million Canadians have COPD, although many are undiagnosed. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada.
Causes of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Smoking is the main cause of COPD. It causes the airways to produce excess mucus that lines the walls of the airways, making the air passages very narrow. This makes it easier to get a bronchial infection. An infection can cause even more damage to the airways by causing more mucus production. Cigarette smoking also destroys the air sacs where oxygen moves from your lungs to our blood, making the lungs work less efficiently.
Less common causes of COPD include a rare genetic disorder called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, air pollution, exposure to occupational dusts and chemicals, and frequent lower respiratory infections during childhood.
Symptoms and Complications of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
People with chronic bronchitis may cough up phlegm almost every day.
It is common for someone with chronic bronchitis to persistently cough and wheeze when breathing. It is also common to feel short of breath and tired. Low oxygen in the blood due to the decreased ability to move oxygen from the air to the blood may cause the lips or fingernails to become bluish in colour.
COPD can lead to heart failure, as the heart has to work harder to pump blood into the lungs. When the heart fails to pump blood properly, it collects in the blood vessels of the legs and ankles and causes them to swell – this is called edema.
Sometimes you may become housebound because of breathing difficulties. You may run out of breath even when doing simple tasks such as getting dressed or washing.
If you have COPD, it is likely that you may occasionally get infections, resulting in increased shortness of breath and more phlegm production or a change in the colour of the phlegm. You may also occasionally cough up blood. These can be signs of a more serious problem and it's important to see your doctor.
