Most people around the world are suffering from one sickness or another. While some of these diseases are minor and do not cause much harm to your health, several others are major and life-threatening. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, better known as COPD, is one such significant and widespread illness. According to the available data, it is the third leading cause of death that has caused the end of 3.23 million lives. Most of the people who died because of this sickness were inhabitants of low and middle-income countries. To find out more about this dangerous disease, read the following sections! Here you go!
What is COPD?
For those of you who are not familiar with the term COPD, let us explain that COPD is a disease of the lungs. Also known as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, it is a common and preventable sickness. It is a widespread illness that affects both men and women of all ages. The disease basically refers to the abnormalities in the small airways. Because of it, only a limited airflow can occur in and out of the lungs. This can happen as a result of several reasons, including blocked airways due to mucus, swelling in the airway pipe, and inflammation.
How can you diagnose COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease develops over time. It is caused because of many reasons, including exposure to fumes and chemicals, severe respiratory conditions in childhood, and breathing in polluted air.
Since COPD is a harmful disease responsible for causing several people's death every year, you must identify it in its initial stages. That way, you will have better chances of fighting it and staying fit.
To do that, the doctors review your signs and symptoms, go over your medical history, and discuss your lifestyle to see whether your lungs are exposed to smoke and polluted air or not. Finally, they recommend the patient some tests to diagnose the condition. The tests that you might be suggested can include-
- Lung Function Test-
When taking these tests, the doctors basically measure the amount of air that your system can inhale and exhale and whether your lungs are delivering the recommended amount of oxygen to your blood or not. During one of these tests, called spirometry, you will be asked to blow into a large tube. Other tests that will be conducted to diagnose the well-being of your lungs include a six-minute walk and pulse oximetry test.
- CT Scan-
The doctor conducts a CT scan to identify whether you have emphysema. It also helps in concluding if you will benefit from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease surgery or not.
- Chest X-ray-
One of tea in causes of COPD is emphysema. Besides a CT scan, a chest x-ray is also helpful in determining whether you have it or not. An x-ray is also good as it helps in learning whether you have any other lung problems.
- Arterial blood gas analysis-
This blood test helps check how well your lungs are working. It sees if your lungs are properly delivering oxygen into your blood and removing carbon dioxide or not.
So, COPD is a dangerous disease, and these are some tests that can help you determine whether you are suffering from this problem or not.