COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a large category of respiratory illnesses that include chronic bronchitis, emphysema or sometimes, asthma.  It is generally characterized by shortness of breath, cough, wheezing and excess mucus.

Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Group, LLC, Andrew R. Freedman, MD and staff, specialize in preventing and treating COPD. They operate offices in Monroe, New Jersey, and Evanston, Wyoming. However, you can get the proactive medical care you need for COPD through telemedicine.

To schedule an in office or telemedicine appointment, call or connect online today.

What is COPD?

COPD is a lifelong lung condition that is caused by chronic inflammation, narrowed airways, and lung damage. These progressive changes make it increasingly hard to breathe.

The two most common COPD conditions include:

Emphysema

Emphysema occurs when the tiny air sacs in the lungs (alveoli), are damaged.  The lungs lose their natual elastic properties, causing airway collapse and increased work of breathing. In addition, the lungs lose the ability to absorb oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is chronic inflammation of the airways, characterized by excessive mucus production and chronic cough.

What causes COPD?

• Smoking cigarettes
• Air pollution
• Secondhand smoke
• Chemical fumes
• Recurrent lung infections

How is COPD treated?

Any existing lung damage cannot be reversed, but with proactive medical care from Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Group, LLC most people can keep their symptoms well controlled.

The team will create a customized, integrative treatment plan that meets your unique health needs. After diagnosing your COPD, they will teach you about the disease and suggest lifestyle steps that you can take to slow disease progression.

If you smoke cigarettes, the first critical step is to stop smoking. Your doctor may prescribe medication or recommend nicotine replacement or behavioral therapy.

Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Group, LLC recommends treatments to ease your COPD symptoms and maintain optimal lung function. You may need steroids to reduce inflammation or inhaled bronchodilators that relax your airways, relieve coughing, and make breathing easier.

If you have moderate or severe COPD, you will also need lung therapies such as oxygen therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation. These treatments help you stay active and improve your quality of life.

If you need help with COPD, call Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Group, LLC or go online to request a telemedicine appointment today.