Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Risk factors of COPD include:

• Air pollution from biomass fuel used for cooking or pollutants in the workplace, such as dust and chemicals, may also lead to disease progression
• Smoking is the main risk factor in most COPD cases. It leads to damage and swelling of the lining of the lung airways
• Those who lack a specific protein (alpha-1 antitrypsin),which protects the lung, have a greater risk of developing emphysema
• Those who suffered from regular respiratory infections during childhood are more prone to developing COPD

Symptoms of COPD include:

• Blue tinge to the skin due to reduced oxygen supply
• Chronic coughing
• Coughing up phlegm
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Shortness of breath at rest in severe cases
• Shortness of breath with exertion
• Stiffness in chest
• Swelling of feet, ankles and legs
• Unintended weight loss
• Wheezing

Lung damage caused by COPD is irreversible. However, treatment is available to ease symptoms and reduce damage to the lungs. A doctor will evaluate the condition and suggest suitable treatment options, such as:

• Stop smoking, which is the most important measure to slow disease progression and increase the patient's rate of survival
• Home oxygen therapy for severe COPD as blood oxygen can be constantly low. Oxygen is supplied by using an oxygen concentrator or oxygen tanks
• Lung transplant for extreme COPD cases
• Lung volume reduction surgery to remove the diseased part of the lung for certain patients (ie. those who suffer from emphysema)
• Medication, such as inhalers and tablets to help open the airways, and antibiotics and steroids to reduce swelling of the airways
• Pulmonary rehabilitation for those with severe COPD. This involves physical exercises, patient education, dietary guidance and psychological counselling
• Yearly flu vaccines, such as vaccination against pneumococcus (most common cause of pneumonia)

• Cardiac arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat)
• Frequent respiratory infections including pneumonia
• Heart failure
• Sleep disorders