Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

What is COPD?

COPD is a chronic degenerative disease of the lungs whereby the airways become irreversibly narrowed and the lung’s ability to function is compromised. It is characterized by two common disease processes:

1. Emphysema
Air sacs form in the lungs in COPD from loss of elasticity. As a result, the air is trapped and there is difficulty in bringing air in and out of the lungs.

2. Chronic bronchitis The airways become swollen and filled with mucus
In 2008, COPD was the 8th leading cause of death and 7th leading cause for hospital admissions in Singapore.

• What causes COPD?
• What are the symptoms of COPD?
• How can COPD be diagnosed?
• How is COPD treated?

What causes COPD?

The main cause of COPD in Singapore is smoking, including second hand smoking.

What are the symptoms of COPD?
The symptoms of COPD may be quite similar to asthma:

• Chronic cough
• Breathlessness
• Wheezing and/or chest tightness
• Mucus and sputum production

As the condition progresses, one’s activities such as walking, doing household chores and grocery shopping can be severely limited by the breathlessness.
However, in the early stages, the disease can be completely asymptomatic until there is substantial lung damage (>50% of lung damage before symptoms occur).

How can be COPD diagnosed?

Spirometry (a lung function test) is the gold standard for diagnosing COPD.

Spirometry is performed in the clinic, and is a simple breathing test using specialized equipment that will allow the lung specialist to diagnose COPD as well as other types of lung conditions like asthma.

How is COPD treated?

COPD is usually treated with a combination of:

• Inhalers
• Oxygen therapy
• Lung rehabilitation and chest physiotherapy

It is of prime importance for smokers to quit smoking to prevent/delay the progression of COPD. This can be done under professional guidance of a lung specialist, with the usage of medications to quit smoking.
Regular physical exercise as well as vaccinations against pneumococcus and influenza are highly recommended, as they may cause severe lung infections in COPD patients.