Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD is a progressive, long-term lung disease that causes breathing difficulties. A group of lung diseases fall under the COPD umbrella, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Millions of Americans live with COPD. Unfortunately, the condition has no cure, but it can be managed and treated with the help of a pulmonologist at Beaufort Memorial.

Call 843-707-8040 to schedule an appointment with a member of our pulmonology team.

COPD Causes

COPD can be caused by smoking tobacco or marijuana, long term exposure to air pollution, respiratory infections, dust and chemical fumes. The main cause of COPD, however, is smoking — 75% of people who are diagnosed with COPD have a history of smoking.

COPD Signs and Symptoms

Early symptoms of COPD include mild shortness of breath after physical activity and/or a persistent cough that is either dry or produces a little bit of phlegm or mucus. The good news is that early-stage COPD can be treated. As the disease progresses to the moderate stage, the following symptoms may appear:

• Chest tightness
• Fatigue
• Increased coughing and mucus
• Increased shortness of breath
• Respiratory infections, such as pneumonia
• Swollen legs, ankles or feet
• Wheezing or a whistling sound when you breathe

When COPD is in its final stage, you may experience these symptoms:

• An abnormally rounded rib cage, often called a barrel chest
• Crackling sounds in lungs
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Severe difficulty breathing
• Weight loss

Diagnosing COPD

Your doctor can diagnose COPD with a spirometry test, which measures how well your lungs are working and is the most common diagnostic tool for COPD. During a spirometry test, you’ll sit upright and breathe through a mouthpiece and tube connected to a machine that measures how much effort it takes for you to breathe in and expel air. Based on the results, your healthcare provider can determine whether you have COPD.

Treatments for COPD

Treatments for COPD vary from person to person and depend on how severe your symptoms are.

The most important thing people with COPD can do to help treat their disease is to quit smoking. Contact your healthcare provider for resources on how to quit smoking. If you don’t currently smoke, avoid secondhand smoke and other lung irritants as much as possible.

Other recommended treatment options include medications, such as:

• Bronchodilators to open the air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs and airways
• Glucocorticoids to help reduce the swelling in your lungs
• Oxygen therapy to keep adequate levels of oxygen in your bloodstream

In some severe cases of COPD, your doctor may recommend surgical removal of damaged lung tissue or a lung transplant.

When COPD is detected early, there is a much better chance of controlling the symptoms and disease progression rate. If you suspect you or a loved one has COPD, don’t delay. Schedule an appointment with one of our pulmonologists.