Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a severe, long-term lung condition that includes chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema. The disease makes it difficult for the air to pass through the airways comfortably, leading to obstructive breathing. According to studies, chronic lower respiratory diseases, including COPD, are the leading causes of death in the country. While the illness is manageable, COPD flare-ups can cause discomfort. Here’s what you need to know about the condition and its management options.
Types of COPD
- Chronic bronchitis
Chronic Bronchitis is a condition characterized by persistent coughing that lasts at least three weeks. This happens when the breathing tubes, called bronchi, are inflamed and irritated, further leading to thick mucus buildup. Air pollution, dust, and smoke particles can all contribute to the development of this illness. - Emphysema
This condition causes shortness of breath due to the air sacs (alveoli) being damaged in the lungs. With time, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and can even rupture, leading to difficulty breathing.
COPD flare-ups
If one experiences shortness of breath, excessive wheezing or coughing, or producing more phlegm, one might have a COPD flare-up, also called an exacerbation. The symptoms of the disease are visibly worse than usual and require additional treatment. While the intensity of the flare-up ranges from moderate to severe, frequent exacerbation can cause lung damage which can be irreversible.
Signs and symptoms
Some of the signs of a flare-up include fever, scratchy throat, and other similar signs of cold, swollen ankles, coughing with mucus that is green, tan, or red in color, fatigue, unusual sleepiness or drowsiness, and a confused state of mind.
Some signs of an emergency include drowsiness, chest pains, shortness of breath, lips or fingers turning blue, or inability to think clearly. An emergency treatment kit may help, but if the symptoms worsen, consult a doctor at the earliest.
Treatment options
While some lifestyle changes may help manage the illness, treatment plans may help control the flare-ups to a great extent.
- Muscle relaxers
These treatment options help relax the muscles around the airways, easing symptoms like shortness of breath and coughing. The effects of these relaxers last up to 4 to 6 hours. Usually, this kind of treatment is prescribed when one experiences uncomfortable symptoms. - Prescription
BREZTRI is a long-term treatment plan that treats COPD symptoms and even reduces the number of flare-ups experienced. The recommended dosage of the inhaler is two inhalations twice a day. Also, note that BREZTRI is not a treatment to relieve sudden breathing problems, therefore, it may not be effective for asthma. - Pulmonary rehabilitation
This is a program designed to help manage COPD and its symptoms. It includes breathing exercises, nutritional therapy, exercise routine, healthy lifestyle counseling, and tracking and journaling progress through the treatment program.
Preventive measures
Some preventive measures to ensure the flare-ups are not as frequent or severe include getting a flu shot (against pneumonia), avoiding big gatherings or crowds, washing hands regularly, and avoiding the use of fragrant cleaning products or perfumes.
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5 effective treatments for atopic dermatitis
Read moreAtopic dermatitis is a kind of inflammation, which results in redness, itching, cracking and swelling of the skin. This is seen in adults but more commonly in children. This condition usually starts in childhood and its severity increases with age. Often, the rashes may ooze and thicken over time.
Even though this is an incurable disease, atopic dermatitis treatment options can help to relieve various symptoms such as severe itching, skin inflammation, skin infection, and scaly lesions. Treatments can also help to prevent the formation of new lesions. The symptoms can be controlled to some extent using various home treatments such as the ones given below:
- Mild atopic dermatitis treatment can be done at home using skin barrier repair moisturizers, which help to prevent dry skin. It is advisable to use thicker creams instead of lotions and ointments like petroleum jelly, which helps to lock in the moisture of the skin. These must frequently be used.
- Preventive care measures for atopic dermatitis treatment include bathing in lukewarm or warm water instead of hot water to prevent the skin from drying out, avoiding allergens such as harsh detergents or soaps that may trigger rash formation, and avoiding scratching of the affected areas.
Depending on the severity of the rashes, a doctor may prescribe any of the following treatments:
- When the rash covers large areas of the body, the doctor may prescribe high strength topical corticosteroids or oral corticosteroids. These are also used if there are skin infections.
- Treatments like phototherapy or psoralen plus ultraviolet light therapy (PUVA) which use exposure to ultraviolet light, with or without medication may be helpful.
- If other treatments don’t work, then interferon (a type of protein that the body produces and helps to fight infections; also available as a drug) or cyclosporine (a drug to suppress the immune system) is sometimes used in adults.
- Antihistamines (drugs used to treat allergies) are often prescribed to reduce itching.
- Another effective atopic dermatitis treatment method involves the use of wet bandages and topical corticosteroids for wrapping the affected area.
If the rashes don’t get better with these home treatments, it is better to seek medical attention immediately.
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Different types of auto glass & how to maintain them
Read moreHave you ever wondered why the windshield glass does not break into sharp shards of glass when a car meets with an accident?
That is because the glass used to make the windshield and the side windows of the car is not regular glass. It is called auto glass and is specially designed to meet the needs of an automobile.
Here are some things about the auto glass of your car you did not know about:
The first type of auto glass is called the laminated glass. You can see laminated glass in the windshield of your car. Not just that, laminated glass is also used for other purposes outside the automobile industry. It is used wherever there is a possibility of human impact.
The laminated glass is made by bringing together two glass sheets and sticking them with polyvinyl butyral and then heating it to high temperature.
Laminated glass in the windshield helps to protect the car accident victim from getting a major injury if he or she is thrown off towards the glass in full impact.
Laminated auto glass can be easily repaired if it has a minor crack. This is done by drilling a special adhesive into the glass with the right pressure.
The second type of the auto glass is called the tempered glass. Tempered glass is also used these days to protect your cell phone screens.
In this, a single glass is introduced to heat and then it is rapidly made to cool down.
You will find tempered glass in the glass of the side and back windows of your car.
Just like the laminated glass, tempered glass is harmless when it shatters and breaks down into pieces. These glass pieces won’t have a sharp edge like the regular glass.
One of the major difference between laminated glass and tempered glass is that while laminated glass can be fixed if damaged, tempered glass can only be replaced.
Tips to maintain your car windshield:
As soon as your car spots a cracked windshield, get it checked and fixed by the auto glass experts.
Change your windshield wiper twice a year.
Park your vehicle in the shade to protect it from overexposure to UV rays.
Don’t keep your car out on chilly night, instead park them in garage. Drastic fluctuations in the temperature can cause the windshield to crack and damage.
Avoid slamming your car doors as it puts pressure on the glasses of the windshield.
Be aware of what cleaning products are you using on your vehicles. Stay clear of products which contain ammonia.
It is best to spend on a good auto glass specialist and get your car’s windshield repaired, as you will thank yourself later if you ever are in a car accident.