What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD):

• It is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
• There are two main forms of COPD:

o Chronic bronchitis, which involves a long-term cough with mucus.

o Emphysema, which involves damage to the lungs over time.

• Most people with COPD have a combination of both conditions.
• Causes:

o It’s typically caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke.

o Tobacco smokingaccountsfor over 70% of COPD cases in high-income countries.In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), tobacco smoking accounts for 30–40% of COPD cases, and household air pollution is a major risk factor.

Signs and symptoms:

o The most common symptoms of COPD are difficulty breathing, chronic cough (sometimes with phlegm) and feeling tired.

o COPD symptoms can get worse quickly. These are called flare-ups. These usually last for a few days and often require additional medicine.

o People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and a variety of other conditions.

• Treatment:

o COPD isn’t curable, but it can get better by not smoking, avoiding air pollution, and getting vaccines.

o It can be treated with medicines, oxygen, and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Q1: What is particulate matter?

Particulate matter consists of a mixture of solids and liquid droplets. Some particulate matter is emitted directly, otherwise it forms when pollutants emitted by various sources react in the atmosphere. Particulate matter comes in different sizes, with that smaller than 10 micrometers able to enter our lungs and cause serious health problems.

Source:Beyond smoking: Understanding and treating Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease