There are about 15 million adults in the country dealing with COPD, a group of lung diseases known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Moreover, there are thousands more who are living with it and are oblivious to its presence. The most commonly occurring lung conditions with COPD are chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory asthma. Around 90% of cases of COPD are caused by tobacco smoking, while environmental air pollutants are the next major cause of this lung condition. While it is true that the quality-of-life of people suffering from it can be improved with the help of appropriate medicines, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation that includes breathing exercises, and positive lifestyle changes, the fact that COPD is the third major cause of death in the country is appalling.

When the process of breathing gets obstructed, only then do we begin to realize that there are other prevailing symptoms that need our attention. If you notice that the continuous and undisturbed movement of oxygen is affected, if there is a persistent cough sometimes accompanied by phlegm, if you notice wheezing and a tightness in the chest, and if you experience breathlessness during routine physical activities, then it is definitely time to visit a physician and maybe also undergo a spirometry test to evaluate the dynamic functioning of the lungs. Depending on how severe the symptoms are, how they worsen with trigger elements and based on the outcome of the test results, the intensity of the COPD is then classified into one of four different stages with 1 being mild and 4 indicating a very severe case of the lung disorder.

COPD is a serious health condition that has to be attended to immediately upon diagnosis. Patients with other illnesses or stage 4 COPD can experience certain complications such as anxiety, diabetes, depression, heart problems, lung infections, osteoporosis, severe weight loss, or sleep apnea, which could make it difficult to treat COPD along with these other illnesses.

The treatment of COPD thus depends on various factors such as the following:

• The present physical condition of the patient
• Whether they are willing to quit smoking permanently
• Whether they are willing to change their lifestyle habits
• Whether they are willing to follow the doctor’s instructions precisely

Adhering to these factors can help prevent the lung condition from progressing rapidly. The advancing nature of COPD has the potential to become fatal if left unattended. So with the first appearance of even the simplest of symptoms, a visit to the doctor is definitely crucial and highly recommended. When diagnosed early, COPD, although cannot be cured completely, can easily be managed. With effective treatment options and lifestyle changes, the incidences of sudden flare-ups can be reduced and the life expectancy and quality of life of the affected individuals with COPD can increase.