Mary Frederick answered
COPD is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, which is a disease of the lungs. The lungs suffer from inability to work properly, because the airflow into the lungs is obstructed. There are different types or kinds of COPD: 1)Emphysema, which causes the lungs to be unable to take in sufficient oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. 2) Chronic bronchitis, in which the airways become swollen and the mucus or sputum increases in the lungs. The swelling and increased mucus causes blockage in the lungs. 3) Asthmatic bronchitis or chronic asthma and cystic fibrosis are other diseases, which cause COPD.
Once a person has COPD the disease is long-term. Many treatments are available today and people with this disease normally seek treatment from a Pulmonologist, a lung specialist. A person with COPD is exposed often to lung irritants, which do not effect others without the disease. The life of a person with COPD changes in many ways. Many who once exercised frequently find this to be almost impossible as the disease progresses.
A person with COPD suffers from shortness of breath, may experience breathing spasms as the result of uncontrolled coughing, they may wheeze in varied degrees depending upon what they are doing. Difficulty in breathing can cause chest pains at times. Just as someone with a bad cough related to a cold, may experience chest pain, from excessive coughing. This type of pain can be from stress and stretching of the muscles in the chest as a result of the coughing.
Some people with COPD, however experience a different type of chest pain. This pain can be caused due to the stress placed on the heart. The heart has to work harder in those with COPD. As the heart works harder some can experience chest pain caused from the strain on the heart. Other symptoms related to involvment of the heart are swelling in the hands, ankles and abdomen. Blood pressure may also be effected.
Anytime, a peson with COPD experiences chest pain he/she should contact the physician. Only the physician is prepared to properly diagnose the exact cause of chest pain. The heart and lungs work together and when one is not working properly the other suffers sometimes. Therefore, I recommend a visit to your doctor to check out any symptoms you experience in relation chest pain. If, chest pain is sudden or survere then go to the nearest emergency room for assessment.
Once a person has COPD the disease is long-term. Many treatments are available today and people with this disease normally seek treatment from a Pulmonologist, a lung specialist. A person with COPD is exposed often to lung irritants, which do not effect others without the disease. The life of a person with COPD changes in many ways. Many who once exercised frequently find this to be almost impossible as the disease progresses.
A person with COPD suffers from shortness of breath, may experience breathing spasms as the result of uncontrolled coughing, they may wheeze in varied degrees depending upon what they are doing. Difficulty in breathing can cause chest pains at times. Just as someone with a bad cough related to a cold, may experience chest pain, from excessive coughing. This type of pain can be from stress and stretching of the muscles in the chest as a result of the coughing.
Some people with COPD, however experience a different type of chest pain. This pain can be caused due to the stress placed on the heart. The heart has to work harder in those with COPD. As the heart works harder some can experience chest pain caused from the strain on the heart. Other symptoms related to involvment of the heart are swelling in the hands, ankles and abdomen. Blood pressure may also be effected.
Anytime, a peson with COPD experiences chest pain he/she should contact the physician. Only the physician is prepared to properly diagnose the exact cause of chest pain. The heart and lungs work together and when one is not working properly the other suffers sometimes. Therefore, I recommend a visit to your doctor to check out any symptoms you experience in relation chest pain. If, chest pain is sudden or survere then go to the nearest emergency room for assessment.
