Elderly Problems: Working with COPD
Psychological Articles on Elderly Problems
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema (also known as COPD) is a serious medical condition in which both lungs are damaged by partial obstructions to the tubes that carry air to the lungs. This condition is similar to asthma in that it makes it difficult for a person to breathe properly. It is generally an elderly problem because COPD most commonly occurs either in current or former smokers, although breathing in other lung irritants or chemicals over time can also cause COPD.
It is possible for COPD to occur in younger people; however, it is usually diagnosed around middle aged or as an elderly problem. This is because it takes several years to develop or before any symptoms are noticed. Shortness of breath is the most common symptom. This disease causes the little sacs in the lungs that inflate with air to lose their shape and become floppy so that they are unable to hold air. This in turn causes the airways to become inflamed, producing more mucus than usual, clogging the airways even further.
It is not contagious and neither is it a curable elderly problem. It is a serious elderly problem because it is a leading cause of death among elderly patients. It can lead to other illnesses as well since, to a degree, it affects the immune system. In fact, according to www.medic8.com, COPD is “the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and throughout the world.”
It is imperative that people take notice of the symptoms of this elderly problem, such as a chronic cough, excess mucus production, shortness of breath that occurs especially with exercise, a wheezing sound when breathing, and chest tightness. The cough with mucus starts to occur many years before it becomes hard to breathe. It is important to note that just because you have a cough; it does not mean you have COPD. Likewise, just because you have COPD, it does not always mean you have a cough.
Since this elderly problem is non-curable, management is used to treat the symptoms rather than the disease. Goals of treatment include, relieving symptoms with as few side effects as possible to slow the progress of the disease, trying to prevent any unexpected problems or complications from developing, and trying to improve the over all quality of the patient’s health. The degree of treatment is based on how mild or severe are the individual’s symptoms. If necessary, medications will be prescribed to aid with better breathing. If handled with good remediation, this elderly problem will not prevent you from living a normal, long, and active life.
The Psychological Article on Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema
is part of Boomer Yearbook’s continuing series of psychological articles on Elderly problems. We believe knowledge is power. We’d love to hear what you think.
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