Lung Conditions: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD is a lung condition that directly affects the airways. When the airways become inflamed it makes it very difficult for air to move in and out. Often the tissue surrounding the lungs becomes damaged over time affecting a person’s oxygen level.

Could you have COPD?

• Have you ever spoken to your doctor about having difficulty breathing?
• Are you finding it more difficult to do daily activities?
• Do you find yourself developing respiratory infections more than once a year?
• Does the change in weather affect your breathing?

The most common symptoms a person might experience include:

COPD is made up of two conditions; chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is possible for some patients to have both of these lung conditions. COPD is a preventable disease but once diagnosed it is irreversible. St. Elizabeth offers a number of services to help prevent and treat COPD.

The diagnosis of COPD can be very simple. Spirometry is a breathing test that is offered by St. Elizabeth’s Pulmonary Function Lab. This will help determine how well you can breathe in and out.

St. Elizabeth also offers an outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation program for anyone living with COPD.

Once a person has been diagnosed with COPD, a treatment plan will be developed by your St. Elizabeth pulmonary team. This team includes an expert group of pulmonologists and respiratory therapists that work together to provide the best plan of care to help you breathe better. Our goal is to help each person that has COPD have a better quality of life.

Resources:

American Lung Association (ALA)
American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)