"I have to breathe for a while when I go up to two floors, and I have to rest for a long time before I can relax." 65-year-old Lao Zhang thought he was old, but when he went to the hospital to check, he was diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The doctor told him that the horror of this disease was not "urgent", but "slow".

From "climbing stairs" to "wheezing"

COPD is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases, characterized by restricted airflow and difficulty breathing. It is not simply "bronchitis" or "senile asthma", but a chronic disease that can lead to serious consequences. As the disease progresses, lung function will gradually decline, and in severe cases, shortness of breath may occur even when dressing, washing face, and eating.

There are many causes of COPD, among which smoking is the most important risk factor, and the risk of COPD increases significantly in people who have smoked for more than 10 years. The lung airways of long-term smokers are chronically irritated, forming "airway stenosis" and "alveolar destruction". In addition, air pollution, occupational dust (such as coal mines, construction sites, etc.); Residents in rural areas are often exposed to the flue gas generated by biofuels such as animal feces, straw, and coal when lighting fires for heating and cooking. Harmful gases and recurrent respiratory infections are risk factors for COPD.

Early COPD often has no obvious symptoms, only mild cough, a small amount of white sputum, and shortness of breath after activity. Many people think that it is "old and not physically strong" or "old problems committed", but the best time to intervene is delayed. In the middle and late stages, patients will have obvious breathing difficulties, chest tightness, and even sleeplessness at night due to wheezing.

Be vigilant when these signals appear

Poor breathing can be caused by a variety of heart and lung diseases, but when the body shows the following signals, you need to be wary of COPD.

Progressively worsening asthma: Initially only with exercise, it gradually progresses to daily activities and even at rest.

Stubborn cough: A cough that lasts for several months every year for many years, obvious in the morning, often accompanied by white sticky sputum.

Repeated respiratory tract infections: "cold" at the slightest cold, severe symptoms, cough and wheezing for a long time.

Decreased physical strength and fatigue: activity endurance is significantly weakened.

If you find that you "wheeze after walking a few steps", "cough up phlegm in the morning", "respiratory infections multiple times a year", etc., you should be vigilant, this may not be a common cold, but the body is "turning on a red light", and you should go to the hospital as soon as possible. Early screening helps doctors identify COPD and intervene.

What tests are done when breathing is difficult

When you suspect you have COPD, you should go to the hospital as soon as possible. The most important is pulmonary function tests, which are the "gold standard" for diagnosing COPD. By detecting the speed of expiratory airflow, you can determine whether the airway is patent. If FEV1/FVC (referred to as the rate per second, which refers to the ratio of forced expiratory volume to occupied vital capacity in the first second) is less than 0.7, it usually indicates airflow obstruction, which is consistent with the manifestations of COPD. For high-risk groups, it is recommended to have a pulmonary function test during an annual physical examination to detect COPD early.

In addition, chest CT or X-ray can be performed to observe emphysema or thickening of the bronchial wall, blood oxygen saturation test to understand whether there is hypoxia, electrocardiogram and cardiac ultrasound to check for cor pulmonale and arrhythmia complicated by COPD, and exercise tests (such as 6-minute walk test) to understand physical condition.

Scientific intervention can control the condition

Although COPD is difficult to cure and reverse, scientific intervention can effectively control the disease and help patients achieve "longevity with disease". The following aspects are important for improving breathing and controlling the condition.

Stay away from triggers: Resolutely quit smoking, reduce dust exposure, keep indoor ventilation, and avoid cold and infection.

Vaccination: Influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine for COPD patients and the elderly can significantly reduce the risk of respiratory infection and acute exacerbation.

Insist on breathing training and exercise: There are a variety of exercises suitable for patients with COPD, such as lip breathing (inhaling for 2 seconds, exhaling for 4 seconds, and exhaling slowly like whistling), abdominal breathing (using abdominal muscles to assist breathing and enhance diaphragm function), and moderate exercise (such as brisk walking, cycling, swimming and other aerobic exercises to exercise lung capacity and cardiorespiratory endurance).

Adhere to regular medication: Follow the doctor's advice and adhere to long-term regular use of inhaled medication to avoid self-stopping medication. Some patients need to undergo home oxygen therapy under the guidance of a doctor. At the same time, regular review should be done to adjust the treatment plan in time.

Focus on psychological support: Long-term dyspnea can easily lead to anxiety and depression, and the understanding and support of family members are equally important, and you can seek help from a psychologist if necessary.

The "slow" of COPD is not only a disease characteristic, but also means controllable hope. In the long-term management of COPD, it is important to "co-manage" with doctors, patients can record daily symptoms, medications and activities, regularly review lung function and blood oxygen, and through long-term standardized treatment, many patients can maintain normal work and life.

Breathing is the most natural rhythm of life. When you find that you or your family are not breathing well, don't ignore it, it's your body reminding you: beware of COPD.