When talking about lung diseases, you may automatically think about lung cancer. But there are lots of different types of chronic respiratory diseases that can affect the airways and lung tissues. At some point in your life, you will need to see a pulmonologist. If you are looking for a pulmonologist around Brooklyn, Brownsville, and East New York, you can contact us or visit our website for Doral Health and Wellness Pulmonary Center.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases that causes blockage in your airflow and some breathing-related problems. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two of the most common conditions that can contribute to COPD. These conditions usually occur together, and their severity can vary among individuals.
Symptoms
Symptoms for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease don’t often appear until lung damage has occurred, and they worsen over time. Some of the signs and symptoms of this condition include:
- Persistent wheezing
- Chest tightness
- A cough that produces mucus
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Swelling in the legs, feet, or ankle
- Sudden weight loss
- Shortness of breath
Without treatment, these symptoms could get a lot worse. And there may be a period where they get suddenly worse, and they are more common during the winter season. Do not hesitate to contact us if you notice persistent symptoms of COPD. Especially if you are over 35 years old and you smoke or used to smoke.
Causes
COPD happens when the lungs become damaged and inflamed. And the main cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is smoking, although people who don’t smoke still develop this disease. But the likelihood of having COPD increases in people who smoke more and to people who are constantly exposed to smoke.
- Smoking – this is the main and most common cause of COPD. The harmful chemicals found in the cigarette can damage the lining of the lungs and airways. Being a second-hand smoker, or being constantly exposed to other people’s smoking, can also increase your risk of developing COPD.
- Fumes and dust – exposure to certain types of dust and fumes from chemicals can also increase the risk of having COPD. Substances that have been linked to COPD also include silica dust, welding fumes, cadmium dust, coal dust, and isocyanates.
- Air pollution – research is still ongoing on the link between air pollution and COPD, but because exposure to air pollution over a long period of time can do damage to the lungs, it can also increase the risk of developing COPD in the long run.
- Genetics – some people have a higher risk of developing COPD because of their genes. If they have a family member or close relative with the same condition, it makes them more vulnerable to developing the same disease and condition.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases. It is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstruction of airflow from the lungs. Having COPD increases your risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer, and other medical condition.
At Doral Health and Wellness Pulmonary Center, we offer the best possible expertise and care in all aspects of pulmonology. Visit our pulmonologists to have your signs and symptoms checked. To schedule an appointment, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, or call us at 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://pulmonologistbrooklyn.com.