Quitting smoking is crucial for improving lung function and enhancing the immune response...
Read MoreYour lungs are vital to your overall health. At Inspira, we develop personalized treatment plans to ease COPD symptoms and improve lung function.
What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung condition that encompasses several chronic respiratory diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. With COPD, the airways become obstructed or narrowed, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Emphysema involves damage to the lungs' alveoli or air sacs, reducing their elasticity and ability to transfer oxygen into the bloodstream. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by inflammation and excess mucus production in the bronchial tubes, leading to coughing and difficulty clearing the airways.
Stages of COPD
While COPD is not curable, early diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle adjustments can help you manage this condition, slow its progression, and maintain a fulfilling quality of life. COPD is categorized into four stages based on the severity of symptoms and lung function:
- Stage 1: Symptoms are often mild, with occasional shortness of breath and a chronic cough
- Stage 2: Increased shortness of breath during physical activity, along with more frequent coughing and mucus production
- Stage 3: Greater difficulty in breathing, frequent exacerbations and reduced exercise tolerance
- Stage 4: Severe airflow limitation, chronic respiratory failure, and significantly impaired quality of life
COPD Symptoms
Living with COPD means navigating a range of symptoms that can disrupt daily life. Symptoms may include:
- Wheezing
- Fatigue
- Chest tightness
- Persistent cough
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Bluish tint to the lips or fingernails, indicative of low oxygen levels
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity
COPD and Emphysema Risk Factors
The primary risk factor for both emphysema and COPD is smoking, which is responsible for the majority of cases. Other shared risk factors include exposure to passive smoke, air pollution and occupational hazards such as chemical fumes or dust.
Risk factors specific to emphysema, including certain genetic factors and a deficiency in the protein alpha-1 antitrypsin, can also increase susceptibility to the condition.
How is COPD Diagnosed?
In most cases, diagnosing COPD involves a thorough physical examination and a pulmonary function test (PFT) to assess lung function. In some cases, your doctor may recommend additional imaging tests like chest X-rays or CT scans. Your doctor will use these tests to evaluate your lung structure, identify abnormalities or damage and assess the extent of lung function impairment. Your doctor can develop a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs by analyzing these imaging tests alongside clinical findings and PFT results.
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COPD Treatment Options
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Inspira offers a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program that provides education, exercise training, nutritional guidance and counseling to help you effectively manage your symptoms and optimize your lung function.
Medication Management
Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and medication management are crucial for managing COPD symptoms. Our specialists prescribe and monitor bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, and combination inhalers to alleviate symptoms, reduce inflammation, and improve lung function.
Spiration® Valve System
For severe COPD, Inspira offers referrals for the Spiration Valve System, a minimally invasive treatment. Expandable valves are inserted into damaged lung air sacs, rerouting airflow to healthier regions and clearing extra fluids, improving breathing and quality of life.
Our Approach to COPD Care
We recognize that COPD is more than a physical condition—it affects every aspect of your life. From diagnosis to ongoing support, we're here for you. Inspira offers comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation, including education, exercise training, nutritional guidance, and counseling, to help you manage COPD and improve your quality of life.
