Chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) includes all the disease that affects the lower respiratory tract , including lungs. It is a serious illness affecting the millions of people. CLRD is the third leading reason of death in the united states.
CLRD includes Chronic obstructed pulmonary disease , Chronic bronchitis , emphysema, asthma , and other respiratory illness.
- Chronic obstructed pulmonary disease :
COPD includes the group of disease that cause blockage of air tubes and breathing problems , such as, emphysema, bronchitis , asthma.
The problem of insufficient air flow into and out of the lungs can be caused by reduced elasticity and distruction of air tubes and walls of alveoli.
Another reason for the same is inflation of the inner line and cogulation of excessive mucus in air tubes
COPD is an irreversible disease but its symptoms and side effects can be reduced through treatment giving one a good quality life.
Emphysema: It is a type of COPD. It includes shortness of breath due to over inflation of the alveoli. The tissue responsible for the exchange of gases i.e oxygen and carbon dioxide in lungs get destroyed or impaired, what makes it hard to get the oxygen for body
Chronic Bronchitis: Bronchitis is an inflammation of the air tubes in the lungs. The swelling resulted in the narrow airways. Thick mucus forms within inflated airways and makes it hard for air to get into lungs.
This disease causes cough , tightness of chest , trouble in breathing.
Symptoms of CLPD:
Symptoms can vary depending on the conditions
- cough (with or without sputum)
- cough (with blood)
- tightness of chest
- chest pain
- wheezing
- Breathing difficulty
- shortness of breath
- weight loss
- loss of apetite
CLPD Causes:
Tobacco and cigrette smoking is the most dominant cause for the CLPD. Also factors like environment pollutant, dust , chemicals ,genetic factors, respiratory infection are another cause responsible for the development of COPD in people.
One can expose to these pollutants at work place and home as well.
Treatment:
The treatment differs on its type of COPD and its severity. for those who smokes tobacco and cigrette , it is very important for their treatment to quit smoking.
Removing air pollutants from patient's home and workplace. Other than this, Symptoms like coughing, wheezing, chest pain can be reduced with proper medications.
Flu can cause major problems in people with CLPD.
Antibiotics and vaccination are recommended during flu season. These management aims to increase the quality of life.
Patients with low blood oxygen levels are provided with supplemental oxygen.