Asthma What kind of disease is COPD?
Asthma (bronchial asthma) is a chronic inflammation and narrowing of the bronchi, the air passages.
Inflamed airways are sensitive, and any irritation can cause paroxysmal narrowing of the airways, resulting in wheezing and breathlessness when breathing (asthma attack).
Inflammation is often caused by allergies to mites, house-doubt, mold, etc., in addition to the original constitution, but sometimes the cause is not clear.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a disease caused mainly by smoking, which causes inflammation of the airways and destruction of the alveoli, small sacs in the lungs, resulting in a condition called emphysema.
Inflammation of the airways causes increased coughing and sputum production and narrowing of the air passages. Inflammation of the airways causes coughing and sputum production, and the alveoli are destroyed, preventing the intake of sufficient oxygen.
Asthma What are the symptoms of COPD?
Bronchial asthma causes paroxysmal wheezing. This is a symptom of wheezing, a wheezing sound that occurs when breathing.
Other symptoms include breathlessness, coughing, and phlegm. Often there are no symptoms when there are no attacks, but in severe cases of asthma, these symptoms may occur on a daily basis.
COPD causes chronic coughing and sputum production, difficulty breathing after slight physical exertion, and wheezing.
Asthma What tests are performed when COPD is suspected?
Bronchial asthma and COPD have in common a narrowing of the airways, and to investigate this, a pulmonary function test called spirometry is performed.
Spirometry can measure a variety of items, among which is how vigorously air is exhaled, and if this is decreased, it is determined that the airway is narrowed.
In bronchial asthma, after inhalation of medication to widen the bronchial tubes in the airways, another pulmonary function test is performed to see if airflow is improving.
Lung function may be normal in the absence of seizures. In addition, blood and sputum tests are performed to check for allergies and related abnormalities.
X-rays are also performed as needed to check for hidden lung diseases other than asthma.
In addition to spirometry, COPD is examined for emphysema by x-ray and chest CT scan.
Asthma What is the treatment for COPD?
There are two main types of treatment for bronchial asthma: treatment to prevent attacks and treatment during attacks.
The mainstay of preventive treatment is steroid inhalers. The main role of steroid medication is to reduce inflammation, and since there are many different types available, the best one for the patient is selected based on symptoms.
If symptoms cannot be adequately prevented with inhaled steroids alone, medications that widen the bronchi (bronchodilators) or suppress allergies may be used in combination.
To prevent seizures, it is important not to stop treatment at one's own discretion even if symptoms improve, but to continue treatment well.
On the other hand, if an attack occurs, the drugs used are different, and include fast-acting bronchodilators and, depending on the symptoms, intravenous or oral steroid drugs.
In case of severe and poor respiratory condition, we will refer you to a specialized facility for treatment. The most important treatment for COPD is smoking cessation.
Destroyed lungs cannot be restored, but further deterioration must be prevented by quitting smoking.
Bronchodilators are also used to improve subjective symptoms such as shortness of breath.
In cases where oxygen uptake has decreased, home oxygen therapy is used to improve quality of life by supporting breathing through daily oxygen therapy.
What tests and treatments for asthma COPD can be performed at Ikejiri-Ohashi Sera Clinic?
The clinic specializes in orthopedics, internal medicine, and sports medicine and can provide a variety of tests and treatments.
The tests and treatments for asthma COPD that can be performed at our clinic are as follows
Examination: blood test, sputum examination, X-ray examination
Treatment: Prescription of inhalants and oral medications
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We are committed to alleviating your concerns and supporting the improvement of your health.
Please feel free to take a walk and consult with us at our clinic.