DESCRIPTION
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), is a disease of the lungs in which the airways into and through the lung become narrowed, limiting airflow. This process is gradual and becomes worse with time. COPD is commonly caused by cigarette smoking, which irritates the airway and the lung itself, causing inflammation. The inflammation in the airway is known as chronic bronchitis. In the lung the irritation destroys the lung tissue itself. This is known as emphysema. So COPD is the combination of both chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
COPD is the sixth leading cause of death world wide. It is expected to become the third leading cause of death by 2020 because of the increase in the smoking around the world. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.
The observable symptoms of COPD are coughing up sputum and shortness of breath.
Severe COPD results in respiratory failure, insufficient oxygen levels in the blood.
Twenty five percent of smokers eventually have symptoms of COPD. Others causes may include environmental and workplace exposures to dust and chemicals and urban air pollution. There is a genetic component to COPD, making some people more susceptible than others.
The process of COPD is caused by free radical particles in tobacco smoke causing oxidation and inflammation of the body tissue. This process of free radical oxidation is not fully understood.
Complications arising from the impairment caused by COPD are common and include bacterial and viral infections. These infections can lead to further inability to breath causing acute attacks to oxygen deficiency. Less oxygen means a higher concentration of carbon dioxide in the blood and a need to breathe more rapidly and with greater volume, a difficulty for the COPD sufferer.
TREATMENT
There is no cure for COPD. Prescription drugs are widely prescribed for COPD. Bronchodilators such as albuterol help to open up closed airways. Oral corticosteroids reduce inflammation and acetylecysteine reduce mucus secretion. It is recommended that COPD sufferers receive early immunization against pneumonia and influenza.
Smokers should cease smoking. Poor nutrition is common in people with COPD. It's been noted that high carbohydrate intake tends to worsen symptoms, with the exception of fruit, which has a preventative and pallative effect. It's therefore recommended that COPD sufferers eliminate most refined sugars, with the exception of fruits from their diets.
Any immune-enhancing nutrient and supplemental formula will help with COPD. Specific supplements should include N-acetyl cysteine (oral 200mg, 3 times/day). L-cartitine (2 grams twice daily) with exercise helps to reduce symptoms. Vitamin C is recommended, fish oil supplements, magnesium and coenzyme Q10 (90mg per day) are all necessary. Antioxidants beta-carotene (20mg per day) and vitamin E (50-IU per day) are recommended.
The herbal supplement mullein, which is both an expectorant and a demulcent can be used to promote the discharge of sputum and to sooth the airway. Other expectorants such as elecampane, lobelia, wild cherry, anise and eucalyptus also promote mucus discharge.
Supplemental oxygen is recommended.
SOURCES
Gaby, M.D., A.R. "The Natural Pharmacy" Healthnotes 2006
Hogg JC, Chu F, Utokaparch S, et al (2004). "The Nature of Small-Airway Obstruction in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease".
New England Journal of Medicine 350 (26): 2645–53
Loscalzo, Joseph; Fauci, Anthony S.; Braunwald, Eugene; Dennis L. Kasper; Hauser, Stephen L; Longo, Dan L. (2008). Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 17th Edition, McGraw-Hill Professional
Longmore, J. M.; Murray Longmore; Wilkinson, Ian; Supraj R. Rajagopalan (2004). Oxford handbook of clinical medicine. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press
American Thoracic Society / European Respiratory Society Task Force (2005). Standards for the Diagnosis and Management of Patients with COPD. Version 1.2. New York: American Thoracic Society
|
