More than 16 million American adults have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an umbrella term for conditions that damage the lungs and affect breathing. While there’s no cure, lifestyle changes and medication can help manage COPD and prevent it from worsening.
At Himalaya Family Medicine Clinic in Aurora, Colorado, our family medicine doctor, Bipin Kumar, MD, has years of experience diagnosing and treating COPD. Read on to learn more about how the two main types of COPD differ and how to keep your lungs healthy.
We treat both of these types of COPD:
Chronic bronchitis is the most common type of COPD and affects about 9 million Americans. It causes lung inflammation and a narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to breathe.
The most common cause of chronic bronchitis is long-term smoking, but it can also result from exposure to chemicals or fumes. Common symptoms include a persistent cough that produces excessive mucus, shortness of breath, and wheezing.
About 3 million Americans have emphysema, another type of COPD. Emphysema is different from chronic bronchitis in that it damages the alveoli, which are small air sacs in the lungs.
Smoking is a major contributor to emphysema, but it can also occur due to environmental exposure or genetics.
Symptoms of emphysema include wheezing, chest tightness, and fatigue. The disease is progressive, so it worsens over time.
Even though chronic bronchitis and emphysema are separate conditions, many people experience symptoms of both. This condition, known as mixed COPD, can significantly affect your quality of life.
The good news is that various treatments can help manage all COPD types and help protect your lungs from further damage. Because there’s no way to tell which kind of COPD you have on your own, we recommend scheduling an appointment if you experience:
After a physical exam, respiratory testing, and lab work, we can develop a custom treatment plan that protects your lungs and general health.
COPD treatment is much more successful with an early diagnosis, before it causes significant lung damage. If you’re a long-term smoker or have symptoms of COPD, schedule a screening at Himalaya Family Medicine Clinic.
Call our office at 303-351-1800 or book online today. We can determine which type of COPD you have and help protect your respiratory health for years to come.
