By: Dr. James Gaspard, Conviva Care Centers
Here’s the good news about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD: While it’s common, it’s also treatable and even preventable.
But take note, COPD is the third leading cause of death by disease in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 16.4 million people have been diagnosed with COPD – and millions more may have the disease but be unaware of their condition.
A progressive, debilitating respiratory condition, COPD damages lungs, and its effects can become progressively worse if not addressed and properly treated.
COPD comprises a group of diseases that limit air flow through the lungs and cause difficulty in breathing. The most common types are emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma.
The disease’s two main types are symptomatic COPD and end-stage COPD – the latter one being the more serious type because it could result in the patient’s need for a lung transplant, warned James Gaspard, M.D., a board-certified physician for Conviva Care Center in New Braunfels.
General symptoms include coughing (“smoker’s cough”), chronic phlegm production, shortness of breath and an inability to take deep breaths.
As such, smoking is “the biggest cause of this condition,” he noted. “And not just among smokers but also non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke – including children who live at home with parents who smoke,” he added.
COPD does not discriminate – it can impact men and women of all ages and races. Ten percent of adults age 40 and older are susceptible to COPD.
And the disease is particularly common among African Americans. Research shows Black people born in the U.S. are more prone to COPD than their foreign-born counterparts who immigrate to this country.
In addition, Black people can develop COPD at a younger age despite less cumulative smoking, which suggests a greater susceptibility to the damaging effects of tobacco smoke among members of this community. The 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health reported that 29.8 percent of Black American adults used tobacco regularly.
Both prevention and treatment of COPD are accessible, said Dr. Gaspard.
Many medications used to treat respiratory issues are generic and covered by insurance or can be purchased over the counter. For example, bronchial and steroid inhalers are recommended in treating symptomatic COPD.
To prevent COPD, simple measures include no smoking or vaping, regular and routine exercise, healthy weight levels, proper medications and basic immunizations.
But for some seniors, dieting and exercising can pose challenges. “Many seniors don’t want to leave their comfort zone,” Dr. Gaspard noted. “That is why we do everything possible to gradually help them adopt healthy lifestyle changes that will benefit their health long-term.”
The fact that many people over the age of 50 take multiple medications daily can also make treating COPD a challenge. “Our physicians are especially mindful of medication interactions when it comes to treating seniors suffering from COPD,” he said.
Conviva specializes in personalized care for seniors. Our expert team of physicians and caregivers play a proactive role in caring for our patients, helping them both prevent and treat a range of conditions – including COPD.
“We support our patients through the process, every step of the way,” Dr. Gaspard said. “We provide them with best-in-class medical care and we also equip them with the right tools to help them effectively self-manage their individual condition with the goal of achieving healthy lifestyles and avoiding unnecessary emergency room visits.”
If you have symptoms or suspect you might be suffering from COPD, it’s important to consult your doctor immediately.
Conviva Care Center New Braunfels is located at 1860 S. Sequin Ave., Building E, New Braunfels, Texas. For more information, call (830) 626-7770.
