COPD

COPD is a lung disease in which the lungs are damaged. COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, meaning a long-term narrowing lung disease.

What is COPD?

COPD is a collective term for lung diseases in which the lungs are damaged and do not recover. It concerns two different lung diseases. These diseases cause a narrowing of the airways. This makes breathing difficult. Because the lungs do not work properly, less oxygen enters the blood. The body needs oxygen to function properly. Due to reduced oxygen, shortness of breath occurs. All activities therefore also take more effort. The body has to work harder to bring enough oxygen to organs and muscles.

The two lung diseases that fall under COPD are chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema.

Chronic bronchitis
In chronic bronchitis the bronchi are inflamed. The bronchi are the branches between the windpipe and the lungs. Due to the inflammation more mucus is produced. This causes narrowings and shortness of breath.

Pulmonary emphysema
In pulmonary emphysema the alveoli are destroyed. These are the smallest branches in the lungs. They ensure that oxygen passes into the blood. When there are fewer alveoli, the blood absorbs less oxygen.

What causes COPD?

The cause is damage to the airways. The most important cause of this is smoking. But fine dust can also be a cause. Fine dust consists of very small particles. Hereditary diseases, asthma or other lung diseases can also cause COPD.

What are the symptoms of COPD?

There are many symptoms associated with COPD. Shortness of breath is most common. The main symptoms are:

• Breathlessness
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing up phlegm
• Fatigue

The complaints can also suddenly worsen. This is called a lung attack (exacerbation). During a lung attack, damage may occur that cannot heal. The more severe the COPD, the more often the chance of attacks.

What is the course of COPD?

The course differs for everyone and depends on the complaints. A distinction is made between four degrees: mild, moderate, severe and very severe COPD. This is also referred to as GOLD I, II, III and IV. How well the lungs function determines in which stage the COPD is. The pulmonologist uses lung function tests to determine the stage of COPD.

In COPD, the lungs are so damaged that they can no longer recover. With the right treatment, further deterioration can be limited. More on this in the next paragraph.

What are the treatments for COPD?

The best treatment for smokers is to stop smoking. Improving fitness and using medicines are other treatment options.

With better fitness, the healthy parts of the lungs work better. This leads to less rapid fatigue. The breathing muscles also become stronger, which reduces shortness of breath.

Medicines for COPD slow the course of the disease. The most used medicines are bronchodilators and anti-inflammatories. Bronchodilators reduce the narrowing. Anti-inflammatories reduce the inflammation in the lungs.

Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is the most important therapy in COPD. With a protocol (prescribed approach) you can work in a targeted way on fitness. Lung attacks can be prevented or postponed with this.

The branch of physiotherapy that specialises in COPD is pulmonary physiotherapy. In many practices in the Netherlands you will find specialised pulmonary physiotherapists who treat patients with COPD. View here the overview of pulmonary physiotherapists.