COPD stands for the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This particular lung disease makes breathing extremely difficult as the airflow to and out of the lungs is obstructed. COPD is known to gradually worsen, but it is possible to treat it. Following are the symptoms of COPD:
-One of the hallmark symptoms of COPD is breathlessness
-Chronic coughing, cough might contain mucus or phlegm
-Feeling tired while performing everyday activities
-Feeling of tightness in the chest that worsens when doing a physical activity
-Wheezing (a whistling sound while breathing)
-In the later stages, there is a significant weight loss
-Lips and nails get blue in color
-Swelling of legs and feet
The symptoms of vary from person to person. A significant amount of damage causes the symptoms to come to notice. A large percentage of the country’s population suffers from COPD and has no knowledge of these symptoms.
According to the World Health Organization, about 210 million individuals worldwide suffer from COPD. They have also estimated the fatality rate to increase by 30% in the next 10 years. People suffering from COPD are at a risk of conditions like heart diseases, lung cancer, and even depression. It’s high time to be more aware of the causes and take more significant measures for prevention.
Causes of COPD
-Smoking; active and passive smokers are at a risk of COPD
-Chemical or dust fumes from industries
-Certain environmental factors such as pollution
-Sometimes genetics plays a part. Even if someone has never smoked, they still can be diagnosed with COPD
Diagnosis of COPD
There are various tests that are conducted to diagnose COPD, which are listed below:
-Lung Function Test
-Chest X-ray
-CT scan
-Arterial Blood Gas Analysis
-Laboratory tests
Treatment for COPD
Due to a great development in the field of science and medicine, COPD can be treated. Once you are diagnosed with COPD, you do not have to stop living your life. If you are a smoker, it might be a sign to stop smoking and adapt to a healthier lifestyle. If you have a mild case, then COPD inhalers may be all you need. Apart from that, the following are the treatments for COPD:
Medication
The medication is administered with the help of COPD inhalers. There are two ways of administration: Single or in combination. It is used as prescribed to you by a medical practitioner based on your condition. When talking about COPD inhalers, we need to understand that there are many kinds of inhalers: bronchodilator, corticosteroid and combination inhalers. There are many brands of COPD inhalers on the market. Symbicort, Combivent Respimat, and Spiriva are some of the common inhalers available.
Lung therapy
-Oxygen therapy: There are devices used in oxygen therapy providing Supplemental oxygen. It can be used while sleeping or during activities like reading, working and so on. You will only be prescribed this if COPD inhalers don’t work for you.
-Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs: This includes awareness, getting counseling and taking proper nutrition. You can take help from trainers to guide you through the physical activities.
These therapies might not help you get rid of COPD but can prove to be very helpful in the long run and reduce your dependency on COPD inhalers.
Surgery
In severe cases, surgery is an option. These medical procedures include lung transplant, lung volume reduction surgery, and bullectomy.
The most common form of treatment is the use of COPD inhalers. They are easy to administer and can be carried along almost anywhere.
Preventing COPD from worsening
Taking proper care is extremely important. You will have to make some changes in your habits. If you are a smoker, quitting smoking must be step one. If you take medication with the help of COPD inhalers, make sure you are using it correctly. If you decide to go for therapy, stick to the routine you are asked to follow. Our body is the only treasure we have, we need to take proper measures to care of it.
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Here’s what you need to know about osteoporosis tests
Read moreOsteoporosis is a form of arthritis that causes the bones to weaken, which makes them increasingly fragile and highly prone to fractures. It is estimated that around two million fractures are caused by this condition annually. Although osteoporosis can affect any bone, it is usually observed in body parts like wrist, spine, and hip. Almost 80 percent of the osteoporosis patients are postmenopausal women. This is because, during menopause, a woman’s body experiences a significant hormonal change. Therefore, it is essential for women over 65 to get osteoporosis assessments on a regular basis.
How often should you get screened for osteoporosis?
The osteoporosis testing frequency depends on multiple factors like age, gender, underlying medical conditions, medical and family history. For example, if you are a woman in your 60s in the post-menopause phase with vitamin D deficiency, then you should get osteoporosis testing done every year. On the other hand, if you are a healthy woman in your postmenopausal phase, then you should get osteoporosis testing done in every two years.Moreover, osteoporosis testing is not only valuable for identifying the condition but also for monitoring it. If you are already dealing with osteoporosis, then the doctor might ask you to get screened in every few months to keep an eye on the progress of the condition and how well are the treatments working against it.
What does osteoporosis testing involve?
After you have discussed your symptoms, medical and family history with the doctor, a physical exam will be performed. If the doctor suspects any anomalies, she or he will recommend you with the following two tests for osteoporosis.- Bone density evaluation Like the name suggests, the bone density evaluation (DEXA test dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry) gauges if the mass inside the bone tissue has reduced.
- Urine and blood exam Such type of tests allow the doctors to verify if bone loss is occurring due to an underlying health condition.
Likewise, QCT (quantitative computed tomography) is typically used for assessing any changes in the spine, however, it can detect bone changes in any part of the body. QCT for bone loss is done to review the effectiveness of the osteoporosis treatments.
Do insurance companies cover osteoporosis testing?
Yes, insurance providers like Medicare will cover expenses for osteoporosis testing like DEXA in every two years for:- Women who are 65 years or above
- Men who are 70 years or above
For younger patients, any private insurance company will cover the screening costs if they:
- Have suffered a low impact fracture in past.
- Are battling a disease linked to bone loss.
- Have been taking medications associated with bone loss.
- Are already fighting osteoporosis.
- Are receiving cancer treatments.
- Are eligible for an osteoporosis treatment.
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3 effective tips to quit smoking completely
Read morePeople pick up unhealthy habits due to a variety of reasons; it can either be peer pressure or some personal issue that forces them into developing this habit. One such addiction that claims 480,000 lives every year is smoking. Smoking is a highly-addictive habit that poses a great threat to the individual who smokes and those in the vicinity of smokers. In fact, passive smoking or secondhand smoking has resulted in about 41,000 deaths every year.
So, if a loved one is trying to kick the butt, they’ll need all they can get. Here are some handy tips that will help people quit smoking effectively.
Gear up before going “cold turkey”
One cannot quit smoking simply by throwing away the cigarettes out. Smoking is an addiction and it affects the brain as well. The brain becomes addicted to the nicotine, and without it, the individual will experience withdrawal symptoms. Which is why it is imperative to make arrangements in advance as the individual will need support to get through this phase. So, it is sensible to ask the doctor for ways to cope with the withdrawal symptoms, or join some quit-smoking classes, establish a solid support system, counseling, or opting for hypnosis or medication.Opt for nicotine replacement therapy
When someone decides to quit smoking, the nicotine withdrawal can give them headaches, fatigue, and mood swings. The craving will hit them hard, and the urge for “one last drag” will make all the efforts futile. If this is the case, opting for nicotine replacement therapy can help ease the withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement therapy includes nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and lozenges, and these will improve one’s chances of quitting smoking successfully.Avoid alcohol and other triggers
Alcohol is known to weaken one’s resolve as people under the influence of alcohol aren’t capable of making sound decisions. It is harder to stick to the goal of quitting smoking if one consumes alcohol. So, it is imperative to try and limit the alcohol intake in the beginning, and stop it completely as the journey to quit smoking progresses. Instead of drinking alcohol, one can switch to tea for a few weeks and the urge to drink will subside eventually.Adhering to these tips to quit smoking will require a lot of conviction and willpower, and even if the individual fails the first time, the resolve to kick the butt should make them try harder the next time.