Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive lung disease that leave you breathless and may even cause acute exacerbation due to COPD disease. Pulmonary Rehabilitation guided by a physiotherapist along with medical management of COPD goes a long way to treat COPD patient.
In this post we help you understand Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, COPD Symptoms, OPD causes, COPD treatment and what to expect during Pulmonary Rehabilitation to recover from COPD. Don’t be surprised to note that a carefully drawn Pulmonary Rehab program also works for Asthma and COPD prevention and reduce hospital stays for COPD patient. “My sessions with ReLiva have helped me immensely in stabilizing my breathing pattern. I even went outside home after months, for a short walk in the garden with my physiotherapist Dr Kashmira. At the end of my therapy I am able to climb steps without losing breath and most importantly, I no longer will have to get hospitalized for loss of breath.” says Mr A Rao, a chronic COPD patient.
Read the experience of Mr Anand Rai Believe in Yourself : Story of COPD Patient Recovery to know more.
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COPD Meaning | Signs of COPD | Causes | Diagnosis | Treatment | Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD
What is COPD ?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease.
People with COPD symptoms have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways, this is called airflow obstruction.
CHRONIC –This means that the disease lasts a long time and is always present. While the symptoms may take years to develop and the severity may differ at times, there is still much you can do to slow the progress of the disease.
OBSTRUCTIVE – The ability to move air flow in and out of your lungs is blocked or obstructed. This is caused by swelling and extra mucus in the tubes of the lungs (airways) which carry air in and out.
PULMONARY – This means that the disease is located in your lungs.
DISEASE – Your lungs have some damage. But even though a cure hasn’t been found yet, your symptoms can be treated.
What are the first signs of COPD?
COPD Symptoms can be different for each person, but typical symptoms include:
- Breathlessness when active
- A cough that won’t go away and may produce mucus
- Tightness in the chest
- Frequent chest infections
What is the main cause of COPD?
Smoking is the most common COPD cause. (About 80-90 percent of people with COPD smoked.) The likelihood of developing COPD increases with – the more you smoke and the longer you’ve been smoking. This is because smoking irritates and inflames the lungs, which results in scarring.
COPD can also be caused by breathing-in lung irritants like smoke at workplace, chemical fumes, air pollution and dust for many years.
In some cases, COPD can be genetic (passed from your parents to you).
How do I know if I have COPD?
COPD Diagnosis
COPD diagnosis is usually established after a consultation with doctor, which may be followed by breathing tests (including Spirometry or lung function test or pulmonary function test).
Spirometry measures how much air your lungs can hold and how fast you can blow the air out of your lungs. Spirometry is also used to track how your COPD is progressing.
Can a person with COPD get better?
Although the damage that has already occurred to your lungs cannot be reversed, correct treatment can slow down the progression of the disease and improve the COPD symptoms. This makes it easier for you to breathe and feel better.
Stopping smoking is particularly effective at doing this.
What is the best treatment for COPD?
Most effective chronic obstructive pulmonary disease treatments involve both:
1. COPD Medications:
Majority of the COPD symptoms can be relieved with medication. Medicines must be taken as directed by your doctor. COPD medication usually helps in a lot of ways that makes breathing easier.
- Relax the muscles around the lungs’ breathing tubes
- Reduce swelling in the breathing tubes
- Reduce mucus production
2. Pulmonary Rehabilitation for COPD
If you are having difficulty with your breathing or become short of breath when performing your normal daily routines, Pulmonary rehab can particularly be of great help. It may also help increase the amount of exercise you are capable of doing.
Studies have shown that pulmonary rehabilitation programmes are extremely effective in treating COPD. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), UK has produced various documents supporting the use of pulmonary rehabilitation programmes.
Pulmonary rehab programmes significantly improve the patient’s health by:
- reducing breathlessness,
- providing ways to control the disease and
- by improving the patient’s ability to carry out daily activities, such as bathing and dressing.
Read more about Physiotherapy for COPD Treatment here
What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a treatment program. It provides:
- exercise training,
- education about COPD,
- tips on how to complete everyday activities without becoming so short of breath and
- advice on how to live better with your disease.
Who should attend a pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program?
PR offers benefits for all patients suffering from a chronic respiratory disease of whatever origin, who have a decrease of pulmonary function, who are symptomatic, and who have intolerance to effort, in spite of an optimal pharmacological treatment.1,2,3
A program of PR may be proposed in stable COPD as well as immediately after COPD exacerbation. All patients suffering from the systemic consequences of COPD are good candidates for PR.4
People living with COPD can benefit enormously if they receive proper treatment including Pulmonary rehabilitation. They can live longer, have less pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue, a better quality of life and are more active and independent by simply learning to manage their condition properly.
What is done in Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
Physiotherapists trained in pulmonary function are specially trained to run the pulmonary rehab for COPD patients. They use specialized physiotherapy techniques to help people cope with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and its symptoms.
A Physiotherapist would usually include one or many of the following in your PR:
- Postural Drainage (P.D)
- Clapping and Shaking to loosen and move the secretions
- Breathing exercises
- Posture Correction for optimal chest relaxation
- Thoracic mobility exercises to prevent kyphosis
- Improve exercise tolerance while practicing breathing control
Pulmonary experts at ReLiva Physiotherapy & Rehab can design a program specific to your COPD condition and lifestyle and help you lead a better life with fewer incidents of flare-ups. Call us at +91 99209 91584 or ask for call back and we will put you in touch with the concerned physiotherapist near you.
Related Reading:
Believe in Yourself : Story of COPD Patient Recovery
Coughing Hard: Physiotherapy for COPD Treatment
Dos and Don’ts for Managing Asthma
Managing & Preventing Asthma Attacks
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Scientific References:
1] Hill NS. Pulmonary rehabilitation. Proc Am Thorac Soc. 2006;3(1):66–74. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
2] Nici L, Donner C, Wouters E, et al. ATS/ERS Pulmonary Rehabilitation Writing Committee American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society statement on pulmonary rehabilitation. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2006;173(12):1390–1413. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
3] Ries AL, Bauldoff GS, Carlin BW, et al. Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Joint ACCP/AACVPR Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. Chest. 2007;131(Suppl 5):4S–42S. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
4]Corhay JL, Dang DN, Van Cauwenberge H, Louis R. Pulmonary rehabilitation and COPD: providing patients a good environment for optimizing therapy. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2014;9:27–39. doi:10.2147/COPD.S52012
