Coughing and having trouble breathing in winter? Beware this disease!

COPD, the full name of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is abbreviated as COPD. It is a heterogeneous lung condition characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms (dyspnea, cough, sputum) and is caused by persistent (often progressive) airflow obstruction due to airway abnormalities (bronchitis, bronchiolitis) and/or alveolar abnormalities (emphysema).

COPD is a common disease that seriously endangers human health, seriously affects the quality of life of patients, and is an important cause of death among residents in our province. However, ordinary people know very little about the harm of COPD, and the diagnosis and treatment rates are extremely low.

How does COPD develop?

The exact cause of COPD is still unclear. It is generally believed that factors related to chronic bronchitis and emphysema may lead to COPD.

Risk factors for COPD include smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to occupational dust and harmful gases, indoor and outdoor air pollution, respiratory tract infections, lung hypoplasia or genetic problems such as severe α1-antitrypsin deficiency.

What are the common symptoms of COPD?

Dyspnea, chronic cough and sputum production are the most common symptoms of COPD, which may also be accompanied by symptoms such as chest tightness and wheezing.

Severe patients often experience fatigue, weight loss, and loss of appetite. It should be noted that COPD patients may not have obvious symptoms in the early stages, but they become increasingly obvious as the disease progresses; coughing and sputum symptoms usually appear in the early stages of the disease, while dyspnea is the main manifestation in the later stages.

The progression of COPD is relatively slow and the onset is hidden. The public's awareness and attention to the disease are insufficient. Many patients are unaware that they are ill in the early stages of the disease, which leads to severe lung function damage and even complications when they seek medical treatment.

What should I do if I have COPD?

COPD requires long-term treatment. Commonly used treatment drugs include: bronchodilators, glucocorticoids, etc. Among them, bronchodilators include β2 receptor agonists, anticholinergic drugs and theophylline drugs.

Patients with COPD need to do a good job of long-term self-management . They can quit smoking under the guidance of a doctor, get influenza and pneumococcal vaccines, take long-term regular medication, eat a reasonable diet, do appropriate rehabilitation training, and use long-term home oxygen therapy. These measures can effectively reduce acute exacerbations and hospitalizations, maintain a stable condition, and improve the quality of life.

How to prevent COPD in daily life?

In our daily life, we can do the following:

1. Avoid smoking and quit smoking as soon as possible.

2. Keep the air circulating, avoid or reduce the inhalation of oil smoke, harmful gases, dust and harmful fumes, especially stay away from secondhand smoke.

3. Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Exercise appropriately, perform respiratory function exercises and respiratory rehabilitation, choose healthy eating habits, and enhance your own resistance.

4. Early detection, early diagnosis, and early treatment. The treatment effect and quality of life of COPD patients are closely related to the timing of treatment intervention. For middle-aged and elderly people with COPD risk factors, or those with long-term coughing, sputum and other symptoms, lung function tests should be carried out in a timely manner.