Hi, it's me again! Time to remind you that if you have ever smoked a sickerette, and we all have, then you need to find out if you contracted Chronic Bronchitis or Emphysema! Next time you see your Doctor, tell him/her that you want a Spirometry Test! This is a simple test that will detect signs of lung damage. It's as easy to take as a drunk driver's test, inexpensive and you get the results immediately! Why is it so important? First, because 1/2 of all those who have COPD ( a combination of Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, and /or Asthma ) don't even know it!!! Second, because early diagnosis can make all the difference for the Quality and Quantity of your life! You see, COPD is a chronic, progressive, incurable smoke-related illness. Contrary to most people's beliefs, it is not caused by smoking! It is caused by your own body's reaction to smoking! And there is a genetic factor! Some of us are born with a protein difficiency which gives us a very high potential for contracting COPD. So this isn't about blame!!!! It's about protecting what lung capacity you do have!
What are some symptoms to look for? To begin with, that Smoker's Cough! It's a good sign that you have Chronic Bronchitis. Those little hairs in your bronchial tubes called cilia are all literally burned off! Well, they have a function - to keep your airways clear of viruses and bacteria, as well as other debris. When they don't work or are now inexistent, you cough - Smoker's Cough! The bronchials develop a hard scar and lose their flexibility. Your body hates that so it sends Mucus to soothe the throat which clogs the airway which causes you to cough! Any mucus (phlegm) that you spit up [ yes, I know this is nasty but we have to talk facts, folks! ] that is any color than clear is a very bad sign and you need to see your Doctor pronto!
That mucus - even when clear - is a lovely little breeding ground for viruses and bacteria such as "colds", "flus" and pneumonia. I put them in quotations because many of us misinterpret and minimize upper Respiratory Infections! These infections can very easily crawl around in their nice, warm, slimy bed of mucus and go straight to your lungs. Lungs are made up of a series of little tiny balloons called alveoli. They hang on little airways like grapes on a vine. Each one contracts and expands when you breathe. They take the Carbon Monoxide out and send the Oxygen to your heart. Well, those little balloons get damaged by those infectious bugs. They get stretched out of shape and wobbly. Then you can inhale but you can't exhale. You feel short of breath just climbing stairs, walking around, doing normal household chores! And NO it's no just a normal part of getting older! Check it out with your Doctor!Your lungs become over-inflated. That's Emphysema. The balloons will never ever get their shape back! All anybody can do, short of lung transplant is to preserve what you have!
That's why early diagnosis of COPD is very important! There are many things you can do to protect your lungs - if you know that you have to! #1 of course, is quit smoking TODAY! You also need to stay away from those viruses and bacteria - not easy! Vaccinations and extreme hygiene help a great deal but are rather inconvenient! You need to EXercise! Your heart is a muscle and because of the impurity of the air it gets, it is constantly overworked! Make it as strong as you can! Also, the diaphragm is the muscle you use for breathing! It can be EXercised! Nutrition and Weight Control are also very important! Being too thin or too heavy each carry their own set of dangers! And learn to breathe more efficiently! COPDers who are unaware are in extreme danger of lack of Oxygen! Oxygen is necessary to your brain (as well as every single other part of your body!) That doesn't mean that you need immediate Oxygen tanks and tubes - but if you do, it's downright suicidal not to use them! When you are diagnosed early, you can learn more effective ways to breathe! Treat related illnesses such as Sleep Apnea! Sleep Apnea isn't just an inconvenience, it works your heart too hard and damages your brain! See your Doctor immediately when you get an infection! Once you have been diagnosed - take your medicine as directed! These medications are protecting your lungs - and thus, your heart and brain!
Most important, please take these diagnosis very seriously! Those who don't go downhill very, very quickly! They cost their families untold pain and financial distress! They die verrrrrrrrry slooooowly! By being proactive you can live a perfectly functional, adjusted life for a very long time! I am Stage II and can work, play, walk, breathe, and basically go about my business with some adjustments! Stage III is much more intense and Stage IV is downright miserable!
Research and Development is finally taking off and protecting your lungs now could yes, in our lifetimes lead to much better treatments and hope for the future! It's up to us to stay as healthy as we can as long as we can and give those processes of R & D a chance to run their course! We can't put our heads in the sand and we don't need to despair! We need to learn, live, pray and HOPE!
