Lung Care Clinic

Chronic Bronchitis is a result of inflamed bronchioles (pipes carrying air to alveoli or balloons) that can produce mucus and lead to coughing and difficulty in breathing. When smoking causes inflammation of the bronchioles, constriction or squeezing takes place. This results in wheezing because air is travelling through narrowed tubes.

Emphysema, in short, is basically a dead lung. As smoke travels farther down your respiratory tract, the air sacs in your lungs (alveoli), start popping out or dying. Your bank of alveoli gets depleted over time as you continue your habits. You will notice as you increase your heart rate whether its by running or walking a flight of stairs this activity requires your red blood cells to move faster through the alveoli and have less time to receive oxygen from the lung. This leads to having less oxygen on red blood cells whose job is to deliver oxygen to the rest of the body.

Symptoms

In COPD, Both the airways(pipes) and lung parenchyma are affected by the disease and airflow limitation is progressive. COPD has been predominantly seen in patients above 40-yearold and frequent smokers.

The symptoms indicative of COPD are as follows:

1) Chronic cough - Also referred to as smoker's cough, the cough is relentless and does not subside with regular cough treatment. This is one of the first indications of COPD.
2) Mucus buildup - There is constant built up of mucus which gets expelled during coughing. The person never feels completely clear of mucus, and the regular cough expectorants do not help relieve the symptoms.
3) Fatigue associated with limited activity - As noted earlier, the reduced capacity of the organs limits their activities. Therefore, regular activities like walking short distances or climbing stairs can induce fatigue.
4) Shortness of breath - The above fatigue is associated with shortness of breath, even with small physical exertion. A person with COPD will see marked tiredness and reduced ability to perform routine chores and feel a tightness in the chest.
5) Wheezing - Passage of air through the obstructed air tubes produces a whistling sound or wheezing. It is more pronounced when there is mucus accumulation in the airways.

Rarely, Frequent respiratory infections, more frequent flu attacks, swelling of the feet and ankles, cardiovascular disease, weight loss, and morning headaches.

Treatment 

While there is no cure for COPD, once it sets, the following are some ways to slow its progression and reduce severity of the symptoms:

1) Bronchodilators - Dilate the air tubes and ease flow of air
2) Corticosteroids - Help reduce inflammation and thereby improve airflow through the tubes
3) Flu vaccination - Helps curb the frequent flu attacks
4) Antibiotics - To contain infections
5) Pulmonary rehabilitation - A combination of breathing exercise and patient education to improve lung function.
6) Oxygen therapy - In very severe cases, oxygen may be required.
7) Lifestyle changes - Eating healthy foods, preventing exposure to dust and smoke, quitting smoking, breathing exercises, bi-annual medical check-ups to monitor lung functions are essential.

Knowing that you have COPD is the first step towards managing COPD, which can be managed effectively.

If you have been diagnosed with asthma, it is important for you to know about the most common triggers of asthma. Asthma is a medical condition, which is characterised by paroxysmal wheezing respiration dyspnoea. It causes breathing difficulties, tightened chest and coughing. By identifying and reducing your exposure to several asthma triggers, you will be able to manage or control your asthma symptoms and the frequency of your asthma attacks. Here are the most common triggers of asthma you should know about:

Allergies that trigger asthma
Allergies, are common problems and over 80% of people are suffering from asthma and are allergic towards substances like weed pollens, animal dander, dust mites, mould and cockroach particles. Children having large amounts of cockroach droppings in their homes are more likely to develop childhood asthma. Dust exposure may lead to dust mite allergy in asthmatic patients.

Food which triggers asthma
Certain food allergies may lead to isolated asthma, where other symptoms are absent. Patients with food allergies can exhibit asthma as a part of anaphylaxis, which are food induced. The common food items which are associated with allergies include eggs, peanuts, cow milk, soy, fish, wheat, shrimps, salads and fresh fruits. Several food preservatives also trigger asthma. They may include sulfite additives such as potassium bisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, sodiumsulfite, sodium bisulfate and many others. These are commonly used in food processing and trigger asthma in sensitive people.

Asthma induced by exercise

Strenuous exercise may lead to the narrowing of the airways in maximum people having asthma. Exercise acts as a primary trigger for asthma symptoms in many people. Patients having exercise induced asthma are likely to feel chest tightness accompanied by coughing and breathing difficulties after completing an aerobic workout session. Although the symptoms subside, they may reoccur within some hours. You should warm up properly and slowly before a rigorous workout session to prevent an asthma attack.

Smoking
People who smoke are more likely to have asthma. If you have asthma and still smoke, the symptoms of wheezing and coughing worsen. Pregnant women who smoke increase the chance of wheezing in their to-be-born babies. You should absolutely quit smoking if you have asthma.

Infections which trigger asthma
Several infections such as cold, bronchitis, flu and sinus may cause asthma attacks. The respiratory infections, which are viral or bacterial, are a common cause and trigger asthma, especially in children. Asthma is also associated with severe heartburn. According to studies, more than 85% people with asthma also suffer from heartburn. This is a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

How to Minimize Asthma Triggers

• Air out damp, humid areas frequently. Run a dehumidifier to keep humidity between 25% and 50%.

• Use air conditioners when possible.

• Clean bathrooms regularly, using products that kill and prevent mold.

• Use exhaust fans to vent steam.

• Keep indoor plants out of bedrooms.

• When painting, add mold inhibitor to paint to prevent mold from growing.

• Avoid sources of outdoor molds, such as wet leaves or garden debris.

• To clean visible mold, use a cleaning solution containing bleach and detergent.

• Limit your outdoor activities during times of high pollen, such as early morning.

• Stay indoors during humid or windy days when pollen counts are high.

• Keep windows closed during pollen seasons.

• Encase pillows and mattresses with allergen-proof, zippered covers.

• Pillows and bedding should not contain feathers.

• Wash all bedding in hot water, once a week.

• Non-carpeted flooring is best. If you cannot get rid of your carpeting, vacuum often with a multi-layer, allergen-proof vacuum bag. Wear a mask while vacuuming. If your child has asthma, do not vacuum while he or she is in the room.

• Avoid curtains and drapes. Use plain window shades instead of miniblinds. Washable curtains should be washed in hot water every 2 to 4 weeks.

• Dust all surfaces with a damp cloth often, including lampshades and windowsills.

• Keep clutter under control. Toys and books should be stored in enclosed bookshelves, drawers or closets.

• Replace traditional stuffed animals with washable stuffed animals.

• Keep all clothing in drawers and closets. Keep drawers and closets closed.

• Cover air ducts with filters. Change these when soiled.

• Regularly change filters of heaters and air conditioners

• Long visits to friends and family who own pets should be avoided. If you do visit, make sure you take asthma or allergy medicines before the visit. Exposure to the pets should be kept to a minimum when visiting.

• If you must have a cat or dog in the home, restrict its living area. It should not be allowed in your bedroom at any time. If possible, keep the pet outside.

• Wash your pet weekly.

• Remove as much carpeting as possible. Animal dander deposits in the carpet and stays there, even after the pet has gone from the home.

STAY AWAY FROM SMOKE.

How to minimize asthma triggers

Air out damp, humid areas frequently. Run a dehumidifier to keep humidity between 25% and 50%.

Use air conditioners when possible.

Clean bathrooms regularly, using products that kill and prevent mold.

Use exhaust fans to vent steam.

Keep indoor plants out of bedrooms.

When painting, add mold inhibitor to paint to prevent mold from growing.

Avoid sources of outdoor molds, such as wet leaves or garden debris.

To clean visible mold, use a cleaning solution containing bleach and detergent.

Limit your outdoor activities during times of high pollen, such as early morning.

Stay indoors during humid or windy days when pollen counts are high.

Keep windows closed during pollen seasons.

Encase pillows and mattresses with allergen-proof, zippered covers.

Pillows and bedding should not contain feathers.

Wash all bedding in hot water, once a week.

Non-carpeted flooring is best. If you cannot get rid of your carpeting, vacuum often with a multi-layer, allergen-proof vacuum bag. Wear a mask while vacuuming. If your child has asthma, do not vacuum while he or she is in the room.

Avoid curtains and drapes. Use plain window shades instead of miniblinds. Washable curtains should be washed in hot water every 2 to 4 weeks.

Dust all surfaces with a damp cloth often, including lampshades and windowsills.

Keep clutter under control. Toys and books should be stored in enclosed bookshelves, drawers or closets.

Replace traditional stuffed animals with washable stuffed animals.

Keep all clothing in drawers and closets. Keep drawers and closets closed.

Cover air ducts with filters. Change these when soiled.

Regularly change filters of heaters and air conditioners.

Long visits to friends and family who own pets should be avoided. If you do visit, make sure you take asthma or allergy medicines before the visit. Exposure to the pets should be kept to a minimum when visiting.

If you must have a cat or dog in the home, restrict its living area. It should not be allowed in your bedroom at any time. If possible, keep the pet outside.

Wash your pet weekly.

Remove as much carpeting as possible. Animal dander deposits in the carpet and stays there, even after the pet has gone from the home.