Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Treatment Abroad

Overview

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It's a type of lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe, because optimal lung exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide are interrupted. A variety of medical conditions may be categorized as COPD, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or aesthetic bronchitis, just to name a few. Around the world, COPD is a leading contributor to illness and death often caused by long-term smoking. Consumers should be aware that any lung damage caused by smoking, environmental factors, or toxins may not be reversed. Understanding What COPD Does COPD is caused by an obstruction to lung tissues or in the airways to the lungs which affect breathing and oxygen exchange.

For example, an individual diagnosed with emphysema will experience inflammation of the alveoli, or air sacs in the lungs responsible for the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen. Emphysema causes the walls of the air sacs to weaken and collapse, which impairs airflow out of the loans. Individuals suffering from chronic bronchitis experience ongoing coughs, narrowing of the bronchial tubes, the major airways in the lungs, and chronic inflammation of the airways. Individuals who smoke or are continually exposed to dust or chemicals are at a higher risk of being diagnosed with COPD, as are those diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease, known as GERD

Most individuals begin experiencing its early stages of COPD by the time they're 40 years old, or usually within 10 years after a person starts smoking. COPD Treatment Options Treatment options for COPD focus on preventing further damage to lung tissues. There is no cure, but treatments may help control symptoms, reduce the chance of further complications or worsening of the condition. Individuals who smoke are advised to quit. Medications are also available to individuals diagnosed with COPD, including:

• Antibiotics that help reduce the severity and duration of respiratory infections, which often increase and accelerate COPD symptoms.
• Bronchodilators - most often obtained through inhalers, bronchodilators are designed to relax muscles surrounding the airways. Both short-acting and long-acting bronchodilators are available for use, and will be determined by the doctor, depending on the severity of the condition when diagnosed.
• Inhaled steroids - corticosteroid medications often help to relieve inflamed airways, making it easier to breathe. However, consumers should be aware that prolonged use of inhaled steroids may cause other medical problems including diabetes, high blood pressure, and formation of cataracts in the eyes.
• For some individuals suffering severe cases of COPD or emphysema, lung surgery may be an option. Two procedures are generally available:
• Lung transplant - an extremely complicated and lengthy process that does not guarantee prolonged, though it will enable the individual to breathe easier and to maintain a more active lifestyle.
• Lung volume reduction surgery - damaged areas of the lungs or lung tissues are removed, creating extra space within the chest that gives the remaining lung tissues and diaphragm more room to function.

Alternative therapies that may provide help to some individuals include oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Basically, oxygen therapy means wearing an oxygen tube to facilitate oxygen flow into the loans. Pulmonary rehabilitation programs combine counseling, exercise, lifestyle change education and nutritional advise in an attempt to enhance quality of life and comfort for an individual suffering from some form of COPD.

How Much Does COPD Treatment Cost?

The cost of COPB treatment will be determined by the type of pulmonary obstruction and the severity of the disease, as well as environmental conditions of the individual diagnosed. In the United States, commonly prescribed medications and nebulizer treatments may cost between $100 and $300 per treatment, depending on the agent, dosage, and solution. Travelers to international destinations may enjoy reduced costs on medications, surgery, and therapies, depending on need.

Who Treats COPD?

A lung specialist, also known as a rest for all adjust, or a pulmonary expert called a pulmonologist treats various types of COPD. A family practice specialist or a doctor who specializes in internal medicine or infectious diseases may also treat COPD. Such doctors should be trained, licensed and certified in lung treatments and procedures in their home state or country of origin.

You can fight Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)! We are here to help you!