N E W S

Vol 14, No. 1        LINCARE is a National Supplier of Home
Spring '00            Oxygen and Respiratory Therapy Services

Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis:
Q and A

   Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These two separate but closely related and usually coexisting conditions damage the lungs and prevent them from doing their job of bringing oxygen to the body and getting rid of carbon dioxide. COPD is characterized by a progressive limiting of the airflow into and out of the lungs. More than 10 million Americans suffer from COPD, may of them are smokers or former smokers.

Q. What is emphysema? What is chronic bronchitis?

A. Emphysema is the limitation of airflow in and out of the lungs as a result of changes in the lung tissue caused by the disease. It affects the smallest air passes: tiny air sacs in the lungs called alveoli. Eventually, many of these air sacs are destroyed and the lungs are less able to bring in oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide from the body. Also, the heart has to work harder to deliver the oxygen to the body.

Chronic bronchitis occurs when the bronchial tubes in the lungs become inflamed. This inflammation thickens the walls of the bronchi and increases the production of mucus. This results in a narrowing of the air passages.

Q.What causes COPD?

A. Cigarette smoking is the major cause of COPD. Seventy-five percent of individuals with chronic bronchitis have a history of heavy smoking. Exposure to air pollution can irritate the lungs, also. And exposure to both air pollution and smoking is particularly harmful. Although any of these may cause COPD, together they have a synergistic effect.

That is, their combined effects are stronger than exposure to each one separately. Other risk factors include gender (men are more susceptible than women), family history, and age.

Q. What are the symptoms of COPD?

A. Symptoms may appear gradually. Early signs include mild shortness of breath, a slight cough, especially in the morning, wheezing, and greenish sputum when you have a cold. Signs of more advanced stages of the disease include severe breathlessness, fatigue, chest pains, palpitations, bluish skin and lips, insomnia, headache, impaired thinking, and irritability.

Q. How do I know when to get help?

A. You should contact a health professional if you have a sudden increase in shortness of breath; sharp chest pain with coughing; a productive cough with green, yellow, or rust-colored sputum; wheezing; changes in the nature of your cough; a cough that is so severe it is exhausting; or a cough that lasts longer than 7 to 10 days without improvement.

Q. How will my physician make diagnosis of COPD?

A. Your doctor will gather a thorough history of your symptoms, including a history of your smoking habits if applicable. You may undergo various lung function tests that measure the volume of air expelled in a single breath, the force with which air is expelled, the amount of air expelled in a second, and the amount of air remaining after exhaling. Tests also may be ordered to monitor the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.

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