COPD

What are the causes of COPD?

COPD symptoms arise because of different types of lung damage. Inflammation causes the airways and the lungs to become less stretchy, which makes breathing harder work.

The lungs are made up of many air sacs called alveoli. Damage to the walls of these air sacs makes the lungs less efficient. This damage is known as emphysema.

Damage to the walls of airways (bronchioles) makes them swollen, which, again, makes breathing harder work. This swelling is called bronchitis.

Finally, the lungs make more mucus in response to the damage and this also interferes with breathing.

The lung damage of COPD has various causes. A large proportion of people with COPD have both chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

COPD is strongly linked to a history of smoking cigarettes. Other causes of COPD are:

• second-hand smoke
• childhood lung infections
• genetic disorders

COPD is associated with workplace exposure to certain types of fumes and dust, namely:

• cadmium
• coal
• grain and flour
• isocyanates
• silica
• welding fumes

What are the symptoms of COPD ?

The symptoms of COPD are:

• frequent chest infections
• persistent, phlegmy chesty cough
• increasing breathlessness related to activity
• wheezing

COPD gets progressively worse unless it is treated. It can get suddenly worse, particularly in winter – this is a flare-up.

If you have these symptoms, you used to smoke and you are over 35, see a GP. Getting treated early for COPD may help you to avoid severe lung damage.

Diagnosing COPD

To diagnose COPD your GP will want to know about symptoms and medical history, including whether you smoke now or have smoked in the past. They may run some breathing tests to find out if your lungs are working as they should. You may also need a chest X-ray and blood tests to rule out some other conditions that have similar symptoms. Your GP might check your weight and height to see if you are over or underweight.

Other tests that your GP might commission to investigate your COPD include:

• electrocardiogram
• echocardiogram
• peak flow test
• blood oxygen test
• CT scan
• phlegm sample

What to do if you have COPD

See a GP if you think you have COPD . Early treatment of this progressive disease is your best chance of avoiding severe lung damage.

Many people with COPD successfully manage their condition with the help of a GP. Early diagnosis and treatment is key. The meds that treat COPD are prescription-only. So, you’ll need to get a prescription from your GP to manage your COPD. The medication and inhalers that your GP prescribes for your COPD will be dispensed by a pharmacist, like NX Pharmacies.

How will a doctor treat my COPD ?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cannot be cured, but it can be managed so the symptoms have less impact on your life and daily activities. Good management of COPD should also slow its progression.

Smoking cessation is one treatment chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Your doctor will support you in quitting smoking, and this will ease your symptoms and make it easier to manage your COPD.

What inhalers are prescribed for COPD?

Prescribed Inhalers will make your breathing easier. It’s important to learn to use your inhaler correctly, as if you are not then you won’t be getting the correct dose of your meds to your lungs where it is needed. Some people find it easier to use a spacer device with their inhaler.

There are several types of medication delivered by inhaler or puffer to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Bronchodilators widen your airways. Steroid inhalers work in the long-term to reduce inflammation of the airways.

Short-acting bronchodilator inhalers for COPD

• beta-2 agonist inhalers (such as salbutamol and terbutaline)
• antimuscarinic inhalers (such as ipratropium)

Long-acting bronchodilator inhalers for COPD

• beta-2 agonist inhalers (salmeterol, formoterol and indacaterol)
• antimuscarinic inhalers (tiotropium, glycopyronium and aclidinium)

Steroid inhalers used for COPD

The most common steroid inhaler prescribed to people with COPD is a corticosteroid inhaler.

Nebulized medicine

A nebulizer is a machine that delivers liquid medicine as a mist that you breathe in through a mouthpiece. If your COPD is very severe and inhalers are not working, you may be taught how to use a nebulizer and given one to use at home.

Tablets used to treat COPD

Bronchodilators in pill form

As with the inhalers, bronchodilator pills widen the airways. Commonly prescribed bronchodilator meds for COPD include theophylline or aminophylline.

Mucolytic tablets

Mucolytic meds make phlegm thinner so you can cough it up more easily. Some common mucolytics that treat people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are carbocisteine and acetylcysteine.

Steroid tablets used for COPD

Steroid tablets are prescribed during a bad COPD flare-up. They work as an anti-inflammatory in the airways. Sometimes you’ll be given a short course of steroid tablets to keep at home to take as soon as a flare-up begins.

Antibiotics that treat COPD

People with COPD are more prone to chest infections. You may be given some antibiotics to keep at home so you can begin treating a chest infection as soon as you experience the symptoms of:

• increased breathlessness
• increased coughing
• changes in your phlegm

Roflumilast for COPD flare-ups

You may receive a prescription for roflumilast, an anti-inflammatory, if your COPD symptoms become worse suddenly, or flare up. It has some side-effects, including nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss and headaches.

How do I get my COPD medications?

In Canada you can depend on NX Pharmacies for your COPD inhalers and pills. We serve all areas of Canada and can fill your prescription for COPD medication. We can help with renewals and refills of drugs to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Our discretion is assured, and you can depend on us for authentic Health Canada-approved medications and devices that will treat your COPD safely and efficiently.

Even if you’ve been successfully managing your COPD for years, you can still benefit from the support of a doctor or pharmacist.

If something changes with your COPD, particularly if your symptoms worsen, talk to your doctor.

If you believe your meds have stopped working, or you start to get uncomfortable side-effects, ask for a COPD medicines review. Your pharmacist may also be able to advise on managing side-effects of your COPD meds.

Can you get my usual COPD inhalers?

A good medication routine is very important for managing COPD, and we appreciate that some inhaler devices work better than others for some individuals. We will always endeavour to get you the type of inhaler that you are used to for your COPD.

Pulmonary rehabilitation and education to manage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

A program of exercise and education known as pulmonary rehabilitation is recommended for some people with COPD. This approach combines physical exercise training with advice on managing COPD, dietary advice and emotional support. Pulmonary rehabilitation courses will be delivered by a team of healthcare professionals such as dieticians, physiotherapists and specialist COPD nurses.

You might also be taught some breathing exercises, and breathing control techniques to relieve breathlessness. And there is a technique for clearing phlegm called active cycle breathing that can be helpful.

Treating COPD with oxygen therapy

COPD can cause your blood oxygen levels to dip. If this happens, your GP will recommend oxygen at home through a nasal tube or mask. It will maintain the levels of oxygen in your blood, but it won’t help breathlessness. Portable oxygen tanks are available so you can use oxygen outside your home or when moving around. This is best for people who find their oxygen levels are good while at rest but drop during exercise. You get oxygen from a home oxygen service that your healthcare team will help you arrange.

Lifestyle changes to support COPD management

Your GP may recommend some lifestyle changes as part of your COPD management plan. Ask for support if you need help implementing any of these lifestyle changes.

Take your COPD meds as directed

COPD meds, whether inhaled or in tablet form, are crucial to managing your condition. It’s worth getting your inhaler technique checked from time to time: even expert COPD patients benefit from this.

Some common COPD medications interact with over-the-counter painkillers. Always read the patient information leaflet with your meds. And if you have any questions about whether it’s okay to use a particular remedy or a nutritional supplement, ask your doctor or a pharmacist.

You may experience side-effects from your COPD meds, particularly while you and your healthcare team are working out the right regime. If you find these side-effects unbearable, do not stop taking your meds, but talk to your doctor to find out what adjustments you can make to your medication regime.

Quit smoking to help manage COPD

Stopping smoking will help you manage your COPD. Ask for help if quitting tobacco is difficult for you. Smoking cessation is very important if you need oxygen therapy. Oxygen is very flammable, and a lit cigarette near an oxygen tank could cause an explosion.

Keep to a healthy weight when managing COPD

Obese people have to work harder because they are carrying more weight, and this can make breathlessness worse. Healthy diet and regular exercise will help with weight loss.

COPD can also cause weight loss. If you lose weight without meaning to, adjust your diet so you are getting enough calories and protein.

You may be referred to a dietician who can help you keep your weight within healthy limits, whether you need to gain or lose weight.

Get regular COPD check-ups

Your regular COPD appointments are a good time to check your inhaler technique, and to discuss any changes in your symptoms. Your care team will also run some tests to monitor your lungs and your health in general. You can discuss your meds, too. Ask about any side-effects you are experiencing, as it may be possible to get rid of them with a small change to your prescription.

Take appropriate exercise to manage COPD

The amount of exercise COPD patients can do varies enormously, but in general it will do you no harm to exercise to the point of breathlessness. Speak to your GP about what exercise you can do, particularly if you have not done much recently or if your symptoms are severe. Pulmonary rehabilitation will help you to learn what exercise you can do.

During a bad flare-up of COPD you might be treated with electrical stimulation to keep your muscles strong while you can’t exercise.

Avoid seasonal illnesses by getting vaccinated

Respiratory viruses can trigger a COPD flare-up, so it makes sense to get vaccinated against flu and pneumococcal pneumonia.

Learn to manage COPD flare-ups

For some people, COPD flare-ups are a way of life. You may need to keep some meds such as antibiotics or steroids at home so that you can immediately treat a flare-up. Have a plan for a flare-up, and know what to do and when to get urgent help.

Some people find that periods of cold or hot weather provoke their COPD. Keep an eye on the weather forecasts so you can plan around these periods.

Air pollution and COPD

Air pollution can worsen COPD. For example, you may find your symptoms get worse after spending time in a dusty or smoky environment, or in a place with lots of traffic fumes. If strongly scented perfumes or hairspray make your COPD worse you may need to alter your grooming routine. Another culprit might be the cleaning products you use, or air fresheners.

Some types of job make you more likely to get COPD. So, you may need to change the type of work you do if you are exposed to dust or fumes in your day-to-day work.

Emotional care for COPD

COPD affects every aspect of your life and can put a strain on relationships. You may be offered counselling or therapy for yourself and family members as part of your care package. If things are getting on top of you, speak with your GP to access the services you need to support your wellbeing.

Surgery for COPD

A few people can have their COPD treated with a lung transplant.

There are also some procedures that can make breathing more comfortable, such as a bullectomy or lung volume reduction surgery.