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Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities
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Wheezing
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Chest tightness
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis occurs mainly in smokers. It's defined as a cough that you have at least three months a year for two consecutive years. People who continue to smoke may go on to develop emphysema, but in smokers who are able to quit, the cough may clear in a few days or weeks.
Signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis include:
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Having to clear your throat first thing in the morning, especially if you smoke
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A chronic cough that produces yellowish sputum
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Shortness of breath in the later stages
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Frequent respiratory infections
Causes
COPD primarily refers to obstruction in the lungs from two chronic lung conditions. Many people with COPD have both.
In most cases, the lung damage in COPD is caused by long-term cigarette smoking.
How do you treat it?
Like any disease, even if there is no cure, there is almost always something you can do to manage it and take control. There are three main areas involved in the treatment of any disease:
For information on medicines and therapies relevant to COPD, make an appointment at Lynch's Pharmacy, Broadale, Douglas, Cork on 021-4366923.
Learn all about the drugs used to treat the disease and any complementary medicines or therapies proven to help. Equip yourself with the tools to manage the condition and not be managed by it.
How do you live with it?
Certain adjustments may be needed to get on with your life, and often, some simple tips and advice can go a long way to making these changes.
When you come to a Lynch's Pharmacy Clinic, we provide you all the necessary information available to make your life more manageable and enable you to better live with your condition.
References
COPD- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COPD
COPD, information for patients http://www.cks.nhs.uk/patient_information_leaflet/chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease/introduction
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