Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a leading cause of death worldwide, and is becoming increasingly common as the population ages. It is now the third leading cause of death in the United States. Understanding the problem is critical to determining the best therapy for treating the disease. COPD consists of a group of lung diseases that block airflow, making it difficult for a person to breathe. The two main conditions associated with COPD are emphysema and bronchitis.
Emphysema refers to damage to the air sacs in the lungs or alveoli. Emphysema makes the alveoli walls so weak that they collapse upon exhalation. As a result, the surface area available for the exchange of oxygen for carbon dioxide is reduced– a key function of the lungs – which leads to shortness of breath since the chest wall has to work extra hard.
Chronic bronchitis refers to inflammation of the lining of the airways, or bronchial tubes, which causes a person to produce mucus and cough over an extended period of time. In contrast with acute bronchitis which can accompany a cold and clear up after one or two weeks, chronic bronchitis will typically have a mucus-producing cough lasting from three months to several years with no clear underlying casual disease.
Most symptoms of COPD begin gradually and don’t become evident until significant lung damage has already occurred. Although the symptoms may vary depending on which lung disease the person has contracted, many people with COPD suffer from both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The symptoms generally consist of shortness of breath, wheezing, tight chest, and a persistent cough.
By the time a person is diagnosed with COPD, it is usually too late to reverse the damage, so treatment depends on controlling the symptoms and minimizing further deterioration. A common cause of COPD is long-term exposure to such airborne irritants as smoke including tobacco, air pollution, and toxic work environments characterized by manufacturing fumes or coal and silica dust. Among the industries associated with this disease are automotive, textiles, construction, firefighting, manufacturing, mining and transportation.
However, the worst contributor to COPD, and emphysema in particular, is smoking, including cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. The risk for developing emphysema increases with the amount of time a person has smoked tobacco and extent of usage, but even second-hand smoke can be detrimental. Smokers, even if they have stopped smoking, account for as many as 9 out of 10 deaths related to COPD.
Treatment of COPD may involve medication, surgery and airway clearance techniques that control the symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. Depending on the treatment recommended by an attending physician, one form of treatment may combine chest physical therapy (CPT) with postural drainage. CPT may be performed manually or with the aid of a device. Postural drainage uses gravity to move the congestion from the lungs up to the throat to be expelled.
The amount of force that should be applied to the chest during CPT can vary. Research has shown that more congestion is loosened with greater force. Since CPT performed by hand can be tiring, devices that mimic manual application can offer significant relief. Tests confirm that Med Systems’ Electro Flo® 5000 and Fluid Flo® 2500 provide far more pulse force than other products, thereby supporting the claims of patients and doctors that they are also particularly effective. When the Electro Flo® 5000 is combined with the Self-Administrator® strap for holding the device, treatment to the back can be done by the individual and does not require another person to perform the CPT.
Although it is a progressive disease, appropriate treatment for COPD allows a person to have a rich and full life. Use of the Electro Flo® 5000 and Fluid Flo® 2500 as a part of the daily COPD treatment can go a long way toward improving the quality of life.
To learn more about COPD and treatment options go to www.copdfoundation.org and www.nhlibi.nih.gov (National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes for Health.)