Definition:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (older terms are ‘emphysema’ and ‘chronic bronchitis’). The airways in the lungs become inflamed and thicken, and the tissue where oxygen is exchanged is destroyed. The flow of air in and out of the lungs decreases. When that happens, less oxygen gets into your body tissues, and it becomes harder to get rid of the waste gas carbon dioxide.
Cause for scope and prevention:
Smoking, workplace exposure to irritants, and air pollution.
Diagnosis:
Spirometry, also known as a pulmonary function test or PFT, which measures lung function and capacity.
Standard medical therapy:
Inhalers, sometimes with oxygen in the home, and pulmonary rehabilitation is now also regarded as standard.
Benefit of exercise therapy:
This is one condition in which the medical profession has promoted exercise as a core part of treatment, usually called Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The person should be referred to a Pulmonary Rehab clinic and received initial training but many people with COPD have never had contact with a pulmonary rehab team.
Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine Guidelines on the balance of risks and benefits of activity for people with Shortness of Breath:
It is normal for all people to feel more breathless than usual when increasing their activity level. The balance of evidence suggests that the increased risk of adverse events in breathless people when doing physical activity is very low. People should be counselled individually to gradually increase physical activity, taking into account their severity of symptoms and fear of breathlessness.
Key references:
Cochran Review: Pulmonary rehabilitation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Key organisations:
British Lung Foundation Guidelines.