Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is also known as Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. It is a chronic, progressive condition that damages the tissues of your lungs over time, so it’s important to get early treatment to minimize damage.
“Even patients diagnosed with mild COPD have already lost a significant portion of their small airways—more than 40 per cent—on average.”
– Dr. Tillie-Louise Hackett, associate professor in the University of British Columbia’s faculty of medicine and principal investigator at St. Paul’s Hospital Centre for Heart Lung Innovation (HLI)
Symptoms Of COPD
Patients diagnosed with any stage of COPD are losing lung function so starting treatment quickly is important. See a doctor if you are experiencing:
- Increased shortness of breath
- More mucus production than usual
- Mucus that is yellow, green, or brown
- Mucus that is thicker or stickier than normal
- Fever
- Cold or flu symptoms that persist
- Increased tiredness for no obvious reason
- Unexplained occasional cough
Severe symptoms of COPD require an immediate call for emergency services and can include:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sudden drowsiness
- Blue lips or fingers
- Confusion or agitation
Causes of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
While people tend to think of COPD as a disease caused by smoking, there are far more possible causes of this lung disease, and even a non-smoker who hasn’t been regularly exposed to secondhand smoke can develop symptoms of COPD. The most common known causes of COPD include:
- Poor lung growth during gestation or childhood
- Occupational exposure to noxious chemicals or substances
- Smoking or second-hand exposure to cigarette smoke
- Air pollution (definitely a concern in large cities such as Hong Kong)
- Poor ventilation in dwellings and workplaces
- Exposure to burning fuels including wood and propane
- Other lung disorders such as chronic bronchitis
- Abnormal inflammatory response
The Four Stages Of COPD
There are 4 stages of COPD, including:
- Mild: somewhat limited airflow with occasional cough or mucus
- Moderate: poor airflow, shortness of breath after activity
- Severe: not enough airflow for normal exercise and frequent symptoms
- Very Severe: extremely limited airflow and severe impacts on quality of life
Typical Medical Treatments for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease
- Inhaler (short-acting bronchodilator) for short-term relief
- Inhaler (longer-term bronchodilator) and/or inhaled corticosteroids
- Oxygen therapy
- Pulmonary rehabilitation exercises
- Surgery to remove diseased lung tissue or transplant a lung
Other Natural Treatments for COPD
- Quit smoking – this should always be the first step!
- Check and improve air quality in the home (address mould, pet dander, toxic cleaning products, ventilation, air filters)
- Learn deep breathing exercises and practice them (Yoga Pranayama breathing may be helpful)
- Reduce stress (mindfulness meditation is recommended)
- Address sleep hygiene issues
- Do light exercise that builds muscle strength
- Do water-based exercise
- Try Chinese herbal medicine treatments – try interval training or strength training
- Improve/balance diet
- Lose weight if overweight
- Supplements: Vitamin D status should be checked as low levels are common in people with COPD and improving vitamin D status may reduce flareups. CoQ10 and creatine have also proved helpful for some people with COPD.
- Try essential oils – inhaling eucalyptus oil seems to benefit some people.
If you are in Hong Kong and suspect a breathing-related illness related to mould, asthma, allergies or COPD, please call our office at (+852) 2523 8044 to make an appointment.