Highlights from the February edition of Medical Essay

Tuesday, February 01, 2000

NOTE - Here are highlights from the February edition of Medical Essay, a supplement to Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease:

Stopping Smoking is the First Step to Slow Progression of the Disease

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - February 2000 - "Whew!" You are in your seat after a sprint to catch the bus - but you just can't seem to catch your breath. It could be the lack of exercise or too many years of smoking. Or, that breathlessness could indicate a serious medical condition - chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the February Medical Essay of Mayo Clinic Health Letter.

COPD is permanent and often life-threatening. It accounts for more than 100,000 deaths a year in the United States. But you can prevent the progression of the disease by stopping smoking and taking advantage of advances in medical technology.

Symptoms and causes

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is the overall term for a group of long-standing (chronic) conditions that result in the obstruction of your lungs' airways. The term COPD usually refers to chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

COPD develops gradually. People often wrongly blame typical symptoms - a chronic cough and shortness of breath - on simply being out of shape.

Smoking is the main cause of COPD. You have a one-in-four to a one-in-six chance of developing COPD if you smoke. It also can be caused by occupational exposure to chemical fumes or dust.

Living with COPD

COPD can't be cured. However, proper treatment may prevent further damage and occasionally leads to improvement in lung function.

First and foremost, your physician will advise you to stop smoking. You may be tempted to continue because it seems the damage is done. But, the disease will progress faster if you continue to smoke.

Your treatment and how you manage the disease will depend on its severity. Your physician will help you: · Find ways to be active - Don't avoid exercise because you fear becoming short of breath. No exercise results in loss of muscle strength and endurance. Using supplemental oxygen before or just after exercise may help. Your physician can recommend a workable exercise program. · Clear your airways - With COPD, mucus tends to collect in your air passages and can be difficult to clear. Drinking plenty of fluids can help. A small mucus-loosening device, available by prescription, also can help clear airways. · Use medications properly - Several medications, available in pills, liquids or as inhalants, are available to help control spasms in the bronchial tubes. They can help you breathe easier and cough less. · Use oxygen therapy as needed - Supplemental oxygen can help correct low blood oxygen levels due to COPD. It can improve physical and mental function. It is available in a portable form so you need not worry about being confined to home. · Maintain proper nutrition - Maintaining a desirable body weight helps people with COPD. If you are overweight, it requires extra oxygen and can interfere with breathing. If you are underweight, achieving a healthy weight can improve your strength.

Make an appointment with your physician if you have concerns about possible lung damage. There are several diagnostic tests available to determine if you have COPD. After diagnosis, your physician may recommend an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation program that includes smoking cessation, information and education on use of medications and supplemental oxygen, breathing techniques and nutritional needs.

Medical Essay is a periodic premium publication for Mayo Clinic Health Letter subscribers. Call toll-free 800-333-9037 for subscription information.

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