What is COPD?

What is COPD?

During the coronavirus pandemic, you may have heard that people suffering from various lung conditions such as COPD may be in greater risk. Many people are unsure of what COPD actually is, so our pharmaceutical experts have taken the time to share some information about what COPD is.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that cause people breathing difficulties.

These conditions are:

• emphysema (damage to the air sacs in the lungs)
• chronic bronchitis (long-term inflammation of the airways)

COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people do not realise they have it. The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control.

What Causes COPD?

Long-term exposure to lung irritants that damage the lungs and the airways usually is the cause of COPD. However, the most common irritant that causes COPD is cigarette smoke.

This can also include breathing in secondhand smoke, which is in the air from other people smoking; air pollution; or chemical fumes or dusts from the environment or workplace also can contribute to COPD.

A rare genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency can also be a contributing factor to COPD. People who have this condition have low blood levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT)—a protein made in the liver. This can lead to lung damage and COPD if you are exposed to smoke or other lung irritants. If you have alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and also smoke, COPD can worsen very quickly. Finally, some people who have asthma can also develop COPD.

Symptoms of COPD

At first, COPD may cause no symptoms or only mild symptoms. As the disease gets worse, symptoms usually become more severe. Common signs and symptoms of COPD include:

• An ongoing cough or a cough that produces a lot of mucus; this is often called smoker’s cough.
• Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity
• Wheezing or a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe
• Chest tightness

Who Are RXLive Online Pharmacy?

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Please note, RXLive is growing exceptionally fast as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  We are dispensing and dispatching medicine, but our team is very busy so please bear with us. It may take up to 48 hours longer for your medicine to arrive. Please only contact us if your query is urgent during this time. Due to some stock shortages, we are shipping orders even if an item is missing, you will get an owing note and receive any items out of stock once it arrives.