COPD Prevention
11/02/09 10:24
Prevention
The best way to prevent COPD is to never smoke. Studies show that 80-90% percent of all COPD cases are caused by cigarette smoking. COPD is far less common among non-smokers than among smokers, although non-smokers may develop COPD. The single most important step in preventing COPD in smokers is to stop smoking.18 Those who do smoke, may need medical help and advice in order to stop smoking as well as to maintain a cigarette-free lifestyle.28
It has been shown that in smokers, Lung Function decreases about two to three times as faster than in non-smokers. However, if a smoker were to quit smoking, the rate at which they loose lung function would return to that of a non-smoker’s. This normal loss of lung function is about 25ml or 5 teaspoonfuls of volume a year. A smoker can lose up to 125ml or 25 teaspoonfuls of volume a year! 28
Physicians and respiratory care practitioners often use a test called spirometry to determine lung function in patients and to assist in the diagnosis of COPD. The test requires patients to take in a deep breath and exhale into a spirometer as hard and as fast as possible for at least six seconds. The machine is connected to a computer, which records the amount of air that is exhaled within the first second of exhalation and total volume exhaled. Smokers should ideally have this test done every year to ensure that they are not developing COPD.
Part of preventing COPD, especially the cases caused by smoking, is to begin smoking prevention programs as early as in elementary school. Smoking cessation programs, or programs designed to help people quit smoking, should begin as early as high school.28 Smoking cessation programs are designed to help those looking to quit through regimens that are best adapted to an individual’s lifestyle, and may include support aides such as nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and prescription drugs for stop-smoking purposes and support from trained help experts.
Risk Factors
Although smoking is one of the biggest contributors to COPD, it is not the only one. Other risk factors include exposure to environmental irritants, frequent respiratory infections during childhood or frequent exposure to individuals with lower respiratory tract infections at a young age, and a family history of COPD. It is important to avoid places with excess dust, fumes and all types of smoke. It is especially dangerous for small children to develop repeated lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and/or bronchitis because these types of lung infections can scar and damage lung tissue which can contribute to the development of COPD. Small children should get pneumonia vaccines and annual flu shots and should avoid contact with others who have contagious respiratory infections.18
Lastly, if there is a history of COPD in the family that is not related to smoking, a Genetic defect may be the reason for the disease. Individuals should get blood tests to check their levels of a protective Protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin. This protein protects the lungs from damage during Inflammation. Low levels of this protein increase the risk of developing COPD.18 Please visit the section on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency for more information.
Prevent COPD Progression
Once an individual has been diagnosed with COPD, it is important that they stop smoking and that they prevent exposure to harmful fumes or irritants such as cigarette smoke. Many drugs are used to improve lung function in COPD patients, relieve their symptoms, prevent frequent hospitalization, further decrease in lung function, decrease flare-ups or Exacerbations of the disease and improve overall quality of life.104 The most common treatment is bronchodilation, which widens the airways and decreases their resistance to air.
There are many treatments for COPD, including bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, or Oxygen therapy depending on the severity of the COPD. The most important thing to realize is that there is no cure for COPD, but with treatment patients can live relatively healthy lives. It is also recommended that people with COPD get vaccinated for pneumonia and have an annual flu shot.104
The best way to prevent COPD is to never smoke. Studies show that 80-90% percent of all COPD cases are caused by cigarette smoking. COPD is far less common among non-smokers than among smokers, although non-smokers may develop COPD. The single most important step in preventing COPD in smokers is to stop smoking.18 Those who do smoke, may need medical help and advice in order to stop smoking as well as to maintain a cigarette-free lifestyle.28
It has been shown that in smokers, Lung Function decreases about two to three times as faster than in non-smokers. However, if a smoker were to quit smoking, the rate at which they loose lung function would return to that of a non-smoker’s. This normal loss of lung function is about 25ml or 5 teaspoonfuls of volume a year. A smoker can lose up to 125ml or 25 teaspoonfuls of volume a year! 28
Physicians and respiratory care practitioners often use a test called spirometry to determine lung function in patients and to assist in the diagnosis of COPD. The test requires patients to take in a deep breath and exhale into a spirometer as hard and as fast as possible for at least six seconds. The machine is connected to a computer, which records the amount of air that is exhaled within the first second of exhalation and total volume exhaled. Smokers should ideally have this test done every year to ensure that they are not developing COPD.
Part of preventing COPD, especially the cases caused by smoking, is to begin smoking prevention programs as early as in elementary school. Smoking cessation programs, or programs designed to help people quit smoking, should begin as early as high school.28 Smoking cessation programs are designed to help those looking to quit through regimens that are best adapted to an individual’s lifestyle, and may include support aides such as nicotine gum, nicotine patches, and prescription drugs for stop-smoking purposes and support from trained help experts.
Risk Factors
Although smoking is one of the biggest contributors to COPD, it is not the only one. Other risk factors include exposure to environmental irritants, frequent respiratory infections during childhood or frequent exposure to individuals with lower respiratory tract infections at a young age, and a family history of COPD. It is important to avoid places with excess dust, fumes and all types of smoke. It is especially dangerous for small children to develop repeated lower respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and/or bronchitis because these types of lung infections can scar and damage lung tissue which can contribute to the development of COPD. Small children should get pneumonia vaccines and annual flu shots and should avoid contact with others who have contagious respiratory infections.18
Lastly, if there is a history of COPD in the family that is not related to smoking, a Genetic defect may be the reason for the disease. Individuals should get blood tests to check their levels of a protective Protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin. This protein protects the lungs from damage during Inflammation. Low levels of this protein increase the risk of developing COPD.18 Please visit the section on Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency for more information.
Prevent COPD Progression
Once an individual has been diagnosed with COPD, it is important that they stop smoking and that they prevent exposure to harmful fumes or irritants such as cigarette smoke. Many drugs are used to improve lung function in COPD patients, relieve their symptoms, prevent frequent hospitalization, further decrease in lung function, decrease flare-ups or Exacerbations of the disease and improve overall quality of life.104 The most common treatment is bronchodilation, which widens the airways and decreases their resistance to air.
There are many treatments for COPD, including bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, or Oxygen therapy depending on the severity of the COPD. The most important thing to realize is that there is no cure for COPD, but with treatment patients can live relatively healthy lives. It is also recommended that people with COPD get vaccinated for pneumonia and have an annual flu shot.104