Copd Is Treatable, But Not Curable

Good Health

October 12, 2009|Dr. Paul Donohue

Dear Dr. Donohue: I am inquiring for a friend about COPD. I would like to know what to look for in the last stages of COPD. We are in prison, and my friend is having a hard time with his COPD. He is 60. - K.S.

Dear K.S.: "COPD" stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. "Chronic" indicates that it's permanent; "obstructive," that there's a blockage of air passing into the lungs and oxygen into the blood; "pulmonary," that the lungs are the site of the trouble.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the main COPD illnesses. Usually, both are seen together, and cigarette smoking is the most common cause.

Emphysema indicates destruction of the lung's air sacs, through which oxygen passes into the blood from the lungs. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of airways. They're filled with thick, yellow mucus, and they have narrowed. The signs of COPD are shortness of breath on activity and a cough that won't stop.

The stages of COPD are best defined by lung tests. Symptoms are a rough guide to staging. In the advanced stages of COPD, a person struggles for air after taking only a few steps, and coughs constantly.

COPD isn't curable. Medicines can expand the breathing tubes and can soothe their irritation. Oxygen is required in advanced stages.

There are two maneuvers that your friend can do that might help him breathe more easily. One is to exhale through pursed lips. He exhales through his mouth with his lips pursed in the whistling position. This helps keep airways opened. The other is to lean a bit forward at the waist when walking. That provides more room for the lungs to fill with air.


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