One of the best Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD) doctor in ahmedabad

COPD (CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE)

What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious disease, usually caused by long-term damage to the lungs and airways, which makes it difficult to breathe. COPD is a chronic and progressive condition, so it will never completely go away and symptoms can get worse over time. But there are treatments that may help you breathe better.

Chronic means that this disease lasts a long time and it is always present. You can control the progress of the disease but it is not going away

Obstructive refers to the air flow in and out of your lungs being blocked. This happens because of swelling or extra mucus in your airways.

Pulmonary means the disease in your lungs.

Disease refers to the damage that has occurred in your lungs. This disease develops slowly. Treatment can ease sign and slow the disease progress.

It’s important to talk to your doctor and seek treatment as soon as you start showing symptoms of a persistent breathing problem.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the 2 conditions that make up COPD. You could have one of them or both.

Chronic bronchitis, airway irritation and mucus production mean that air has a hard time getting through.

If you’re not sure you understood your diagnosis, follow up with your doctor. And if you haven’t been diagnosed with COPD but are experiencing constant breathing problems—especially shortness of breath—talk to your doctor right away

What causes COPD?

COPD is caused by long-term exposure to things that irritate your airways and damage the air sacs in your lungs. While smoking is the main cause of COPD.

Other causes can include:

How many people have COPD?

There are 30 million COPD patients in India. [8] India contributes a significant and growing percentage of COPD mortality which is estimated to be amongst the highest in the world i.e. more than 64.7 estimated age standardized death rate per 100,000 amongst both sexes.

What are the symptoms of COPD?

Many people can live with COPD for a while before the symptoms start to impact their daily lives. But as COPD progresses, symptoms become more severe, and may include:

If you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few weeks, you should see a doctor immediately.

What are flare-ups?

Sometimes, the symptoms of COPD can turn into something more serious. It’s called a flare-up. Your doctor might call it an exacerbation.

It’s a sudden worsening of COPD symptoms, including:

It can happen at any time, leaving your breathing much worse than it was before.

One flare-up can lead to another and another and can lead to hospitalization or even death-but they aren’t inevitable.

Certain treatments can help reduce the risk of a flare-up from happening in the first place. And some are even steroid free.

What are the treatment options?

Many COPD medicines are inhaled, so they reach your lungs directly. You have probably heard about rescue inhalers (short acting) and maintenance inhalers (long acting), but do you know the difference between them?

Rescue inhalers (short acting) Provide fast relief for sudden symptoms,but aren’t meant for long-term control.

Maintenance inhalers (long acting) Can help improve lung function and control COPD symptoms long term. While some maintenance medicines contain steroids, there are also steroid-free options. It’s important to take your medicine as directed by your doctor whether you feel symptoms or not

MEDITATION AND ITS EFFECT ON COPD:

Meditation can have positive benefits on your health. People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other forms of lung disease who practice meditation have reported an improved sense of well-being and better mood.

Reduce depression and anxiety, promote deeper breathing and increase energy levels.
One study evaluated 29 people with COPD who trained in the art of yoga-meditation and relaxation twice a week for 4 weeks, and subsequently one hour per week, every 2 weeks, over eight weeks. Participants’ lung function, inflammation and quality of life all improved by the 12-week mark.
Heartfulness meditation is probably the best choice for people at any stage of COPD.This form involves being aware of everything going on around you and listen to the sounds around you. Focus on the progression of time between sounds. This type of “flow” meditation allows the mind to move from one thing to another, keeping it active, yet promoting relaxation and stress release.