Research Paper on Living With COPD: Making the Most of Your Life

Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is defined as umbrella term describing the diseases progress associated with lungs. The conditions include chronic bronchitis, refractory asthma, and Emphysema (Sampson, 2018). The disease is characterized by problems related to the lack of enough breath. Currently, COPD is incurable, but when it is diagnosed right and treated, there are ways that an individual can do to manage the disease and breathe properly. However, people live with this disease happily and for many years. An individual may experience some coughs and breathing problems and think that they are healthy or parts of aging, but they could be the signs of COPD. Therefore, it is essential for a patient suffering from these symptoms to visit the doctor or health center for treatment.

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Spirometry tests are carried in the hospital since COPD can affect someone for years without a person not noticing symptoms like shortness of breath. COPD symptoms can vary from individual to individual. Some of the common symptoms associated with COPD include frequent coughs, wheezing, increased breathlessness, feeling some tightness in chest, and lastly persistent lack of enough breath (Mayo, 2017). Different types of COPD have different kinds of symptoms and are treated differently. Chronic bronchitis and Emphysema make common conditions of COPD. The diseases block the airflow making it difficult for a patient to breathe well. Damages caused in the lung because of OCPD cannot be reversed.

There are five ways to diagnose and treat these lung diseases. Prevention is the best measure. Individuals are advised and to beware of the risk factors that cause OCPD. The majority of cases are seen that the disease affects smokers, and to stop smoking is the best way to prevent COPD.. Treatments ease the symptoms and prevent complications. Some of the procedures include medication, oxygen therapy, surgery, and changing lifestyles (Kleinschmidt, 2019).

Medication

COPD commonly affects the small bronchi. There is an increase in sputum production in bronchi, which, when measured in millimeters, results in 3 to 8 in diameter. This sputum, which is found in the bronchi, is occluded by-products of tobacco. The sputum becomes stable, and a mechanical plug is formed. This causes the swelling of cells that their responsibility is producing sputum. The cells are known as goblet cells. They are found in small bronchioles. The smooth muscles of bronchial follow the process of swelling. This leads to mechanical occludes and accumulation of mucus in the narrow lumen of bronchial. Despite physiotherapies, expectorants, and medication, the sputum might become solid.

Mechanical plugs that are created negatively by airways affect the patient's respiratory capacity, which leads to infection. It also prevents the availability of drugs at the small airways. Respiratory functions, normalization of sputum, and breathing usually are restored through mechanical cleansing of patients with asthma and COPD respiratory tract. However, no method that has been practically found that eliminates shortness of breath. Prof. Yalcin Karakoca developed a Bronchus Desobstruction Treatment Technique, which opens and heals bronchial lumen that excessively produces mucus, and that is used in the expectorating of sputum. This contribution brings a solution that is essential to patients who have severe asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases). The process of using this technique in treatment involves a bronchoscope being inserted in the trachea generalizing anesthesia. Occluded bronchi are, therefore, all cleaned one at a time with a particular device. The patients are suffering from COPD gains breathing freedom after the process of cleaning bronchi. Lung cancer is also primarily treated through the development of treatments of Bronchial patency. The essential issue is the performance technique of bronchial patency effectively.

Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen therapy treatment is the process of increasing oxygen amounts that flow in patients' bloodstreams and lungs. If the patient's level of blood oxygen is low in his COPD, getting more oxygen is essential since it can help the patient breath better and have a more extended living. Several ways are used to deliver oxygen. This includes oxygen gas cylinders, devices with liquid oxygen, and oxygen concentrators (Stoller, 2014). A patient does not have to stay at the hospital or home to receive oxygen since these systems of oxygen are portable. One of the restrictions on patients using these oxygen systems is that they should not smoke. Also, oxygen should not be used in open flames. This is because it can cause an explosion or dangerous fire.

Oxygen therapy is a long term treatment referred to COPD patients who have low blood oxygen levels (hypoxia). It is commonly used to prevent or slow heart failure. It helps the affected patient to live longer. If a patient has COPD exacerbation, he is advised to go for oxygen systems in the hospital. The oxygen should be used for a long term period at least fifteen hours of a day if there are few interruptions. This will reduce the risk of dying from a low level of oxygen. It is more beneficial if it is used for twenty-four hours a day.

Oxygen is needed in situations like during exercise. This is because patients with COPD oxygen levels go low when exercising. Another location is when sleeping. During this period, naturally, breathing slows down because too much oxygen is not needed in the body. Also, during air travel, the air level is low on the airplane. The air inside is compared to the same level of oxygen during a 2400m elevation (Branson, 2018). Therefore, patients suffering from COPD should carry their oxygen systems.

There is no risk typically reported from oxygen therapy treatment. As long as the patient follows the doctor's instructions, no danger can be experienced. Although, when oxygen is opened to fire, it becomes a hazard. Therefore, the doctor's instructions must be followed. It should not be used in open flames, lit cigarettes, and anything else that is flammable.

Surgery

COPD has two major lung problems separately, which include chronic bronchitis and Emphysema. People are suffering from COPD experience severe symptoms of having breathing problems all the time. Due to these symptoms, some doctors suggest that patients should have lung surgery to improve their breathing conditions (Boyce, 2019). The operation is performed to take care of the COPD component of Emphysema. Not all patients suffering from COPD are legible for the surgery. Doctors consider patients who will undergo surgery by being strong enough to face the surgery, have participated in a rehabilitation program of pulmonary and a person who is not a current smoker. Some operations require that the damaged lung parts should be removed. This is based on the results tested by the doctor.

The two types of surgery involving lungs are bullectomy and Lung Volume Reduction Surgery (LVRS). Bullectomy is where the doctors are required to remove blebs or bullae from the patient's lung. It can be one or many bullae. Bullae is referred to a large air sac that is formed from destroyed alveoli. Removing these air sacs from the patients reduces the overcrowded space; hence, the patient can breathe comfortably. LVRS helps people who are suffering from Emphysema severely by affecting lobes of lungs in the upper side. The primary goal of surgery in LVRS is to reduce lung size by removal of 30% of the tissues of the diseased lung (Palage, 2001). It also allows the diaphragm to be back to its standard shape, thus breathing becoming more efficient. Sometimes COPD can severely damage the lungs, thus interfering with the normal functioning of lungs. Doctors may consider a transplant of that lung to improve the health of the patient. However, some risks and regulations may be regarded as before the operation.

Changing Lifestyles

There are healthy choices considered for making life easier for a patient suffering from COPD managing to live a healthy life. It doesn't mean that people living with COPD should stop living. There are some of the lifestyles that change and can help a patient to live with the disease. The top priority is that a person suffering from COPD should stop smoking completely (Make et al., 2016). Smoking is one of the effects that cause Emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These diseases together comprise of COPD. Patients need to stop smoking for a healthy life. Patients should also avoid dust, air pollution, or burning wood smoke.

Another change in lifestyle is defending themselves against infections. People living with COPD have unique risks of infections in their respiratory systems. Washing hands can avoid this. A person suffering from the disease should maintain hygiene at a very high rate. It is significant to prevent people with flu or cold. The doctor also recommends annual cold vaccines. Antibacterial products do not fit people suffering from this disease. Pure water that is running and a bar of soap is advised.

A good and healthy diet is also essential to increase the reliable immune system and to keep the body healthy. It is also helpful to eat smaller foods more often. A balanced diet is required, which is carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and fruits. Diets rich in nuts, fish, grains, olive oil, fruits and vegetables are highly recommended. Some meals like meat, processed foods, and sugar should be highly avoided. Mediterranean diet is seen to be the best since it keeps one healthy (Krucik, 2014).

Emotional and Physical Health

A person suffering from this disease should also be familiar with the nearest hospital in which he can seek treatment. It is advisable for a person to familiar with any case of emergency. The doctor's number is so significant to have. In case of any breathing difficulty or weird symptom, someone should not hesitate to call the doctor or to visit professional healthcare. A list of a friend or family member is essential to be maintained in case of any medical checkup. People living with COPD should also, attend to their emotional needs. Some succumb out of depression, anxiety, or even stress (Ambrosino & Bertella, 2003). Emotional issues should be discussed with doctors or health care providers. This will give the doctor time to recommend you with the way to cope with the emotions. Some of the recommendations include special techniques of breathing, meditation, or even joining a supporting group.

Friends can help in a better way when one opens up his emotions to them. The person suffering from this disease should stay fit. Pulmonary rehabilitation fits a person suffering from this disease better. Exercises are required for the improvement of the mental, physical, and emotional health of a patient's condition. Research shows that the quality of life of a patient suffering from COPD can be improved through exercising. It also reliefs a person breathing problems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, these are the five treatments that can be used to reduce COPD disease and give the patient a long life. Although the cure of COPD has not yet been found, the treatment processes and medication have made life easy and more comfortable for people with COPD to live normally like any other person. The critical fact is that each patient suffering from this disease should cooperate and be ready to work as per doctor's prescription.

References

Ambrosino, N. & Bertella, E. (2003). Lifestyle interventions in prevention and comprehensive management of COPD. Retrieved from. http://www.ncbi.nlm.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6118879

Boyce, P. (2019). When to Consider Surgery for COPD. Retrieved from. https://www.webmd.com/lung/copd-surgery

Branson, R., D. (2018). Oxygen Therapy in COPD. Retrieved from. http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/63/6/734

Kleinschmidt, P. (2019). What i...