Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it
increasingly difficult for you to breathe.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main conditions that make up COPD, but COPD can also refer to
damage caused by chronic asthmatic bronchitis. In all cases, damage to your airways eventually interferes with the
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your lungs.
Causes
In the vast majority of cases, the lung damage that leads to COPD is caused by long-term cigarette smoking. But other
irritants can cause COPD, including cigar smoke, secondhand smoke, pipe smoke, air pollution and certain
occupational fumes. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which occurs when stomach acids wash back up into
your esophagus, can aggravate COPD and may even cause it in some people.
In rare cases, COPD results from a genetic disorder that causes low levels of a protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin.
There's no cure for COPD, and you can't undo the damage to your lungs. But COPD treatments can control symptoms,
reduce your risk of complications and exacerbations, and improve your ability to lead an active life. It's not known what
role exposure to secondhand smoke plays in COPD, but avoid it whenever possible.
Western Medicine Treatment
Smoking cessation. The most essential step in any treatment plan for smokers with COPD is to stop all smoking. It's
the only way to keep COPD from getting worse — which can eventually result in losing your ability to breathe.
Bronchodilators. These medications — which usually come in an inhaler — relax the muscles around your airways.
This can help relieve coughing and shortness of breath and make breathing easier. Depending on the severity of your
disease, you may need a short-acting bronchodilator before activities, a long-acting bronchodilator that you use every
day, or both.
Inhaled steroids. Inhaled corticosteroid medications can reduce airway inflammation and help you breathe better. But
prolonged use of these medications can weaken your bones and increase your risk of high blood pressure, cataracts
and diabetes. They're usually reserved for people with moderate or severe COPD.
Antibiotics. Respiratory infections, such as acute bronchitis, pneumonia and influenza, can aggravate COPD
symptoms. Antibiotics can help fight bacterial infections, but are only recommended when necessary.
Oxygen therapy. If there isn't enough oxygen in your blood, you may need supplemental oxygen.
Pulmonary rehabilitation program. These programs typically combine education, exercise training, nutrition advice and
counseling.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information gathered from the Mayo Clinic
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make it
increasingly difficult for you to breathe.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main conditions that make up COPD, but COPD can also refer to
damage caused by chronic asthmatic bronchitis. In all cases, damage to your airways eventually interferes with the
exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your lungs.
Causes
In the vast majority of cases, the lung damage that leads to COPD is caused by long-term cigarette smoking. But other
irritants can cause COPD, including cigar smoke, secondhand smoke, pipe smoke, air pollution and certain
occupational fumes. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which occurs when stomach acids wash back up into
your esophagus, can aggravate COPD and may even cause it in some people.
In rare cases, COPD results from a genetic disorder that causes low levels of a protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin.
There's no cure for COPD, and you can't undo the damage to your lungs. But COPD treatments can control symptoms,
reduce your risk of complications and exacerbations, and improve your ability to lead an active life. It's not known what
role exposure to secondhand smoke plays in COPD, but avoid it whenever possible.
Western Medicine Treatment
Smoking cessation. The most essential step in any treatment plan for smokers with COPD is to stop all smoking. It's
the only way to keep COPD from getting worse — which can eventually result in losing your ability to breathe.
Bronchodilators. These medications — which usually come in an inhaler — relax the muscles around your airways.
This can help relieve coughing and shortness of breath and make breathing easier. Depending on the severity of your
disease, you may need a short-acting bronchodilator before activities, a long-acting bronchodilator that you use every
day, or both.
Inhaled steroids. Inhaled corticosteroid medications can reduce airway inflammation and help you breathe better. But
prolonged use of these medications can weaken your bones and increase your risk of high blood pressure, cataracts
and diabetes. They're usually reserved for people with moderate or severe COPD.
Antibiotics. Respiratory infections, such as acute bronchitis, pneumonia and influenza, can aggravate COPD
symptoms. Antibiotics can help fight bacterial infections, but are only recommended when necessary.
Oxygen therapy. If there isn't enough oxygen in your blood, you may need supplemental oxygen.
Pulmonary rehabilitation program. These programs typically combine education, exercise training, nutrition advice and
counseling.
Alternative Medicine
There is a significant progress using alternative medicine in this area.
If you want a referral of an expert alternative medicine practitioner in your
local area, please use our free referral service by calling our toll-free at
1-888-919-1188, or e-mail us to wei@weilab.com, or click the button
at the right to have us contact you.
Information gathered from the Mayo Clinic
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