Diagnosing COPD

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) you will often be short of breath, have a persistent cough, and a build-up of mucus and phlegm in your throat.

The following tests can be carried out to help diagnose COPD, and also to eliminate other conditions such as asthma.

Spirometry

Spirometry is usually used to diagnose COPD. It involves breathing in and out of a tube connected to a machine, so that your doctor can assess whether or not your airways have narrowed.

Chest radiography

Chest radiography is a type of X-ray that will show any hyperinflation (over expansion) of your lungs.

Computerised tomography (CT) scan 

A CT scan is more sensitive than a chest radiograph (X-ray) and is particularly useful for diagnosing lung diseases.

 Blood test

A full blood test may be carried out in order to check for anaemia (low iron levels in your red blood cells) that can make the symptoms of COPD worse.

A blood test may also be used to look for polycythaemia (an excess of red blood cells). If you have polycythaemia, your body may not be getting enough oxygen as a result of your lungs being damaged.

Treating COPD 

A respiratory nurse specialist and patients explain pulmonary rehabilitation, and how exercise can improve the symptoms of COPD. There is no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Treatment is mainly used to relieve any symptoms that you have.

After assessing your condition, your doctor may recommend a course of treatment for you, and closely monitor how well you respond to it. The effectiveness of treatment for COPD can vary considerably from person to person. If the first type of treatment that you are given does not improve your symptoms, other treatment options will be considered.

Inhalers

If an inhaler is prescribed for you, your doctor, practice nurse or pharmacist can explain how to use it.

1. Short-acting bronchodilator inhalers

Short-acting bronchodilator inhalers deliver a small dose of medicine directly to your lungs, causing the muscles in your airways to relax and open up (bronchodilate). They also prevent hyperinflation (over expansion) of your lungs.

There are two types of short-acting bronchodilator inhalers:

• beta-2 agonist inhalers, such as salbutamol and terbutaline, and
• anticholinergic inhalers, such as ipratropium and oxitropium.

For people with mild COPD symptoms, one bronchodilator inhaler used as needed (as and when you feel breathless) may be sufficient to relieve the symptoms.

For other people, it may be necessary to use one of each type of bronchodilator, a beta-2 agonist and an anticholinergic inhaler, four times a day.

Your doctor or your COPD specialist will recommend which one to use.

2. Long-acting bronchodilator inhalers

If a short-acting bronchodilator inhaler does not help to relieve your symptoms, your doctor may recommend a long-acting bronchodilator inhaler. These work in a similar way to the short-acting bronchodilators, but each dose lasts for at least 12 hours.

There are two types of long-acting bronchodilator inhalers:

• beta-2 agonist inhalers, such as salmeterol and formoterol, and
• anticholinergic inhalers, such as tiotropium.

3. Corticosteroid inhalers

Corticosteroids are similar to a natural hormone (cortisol) that is produced by your body. Corticosteroid inhalers all work in the same way by reducing the inflammation in your airways.

If you have moderate or severe COPD and you are not getting adequate relief from bronchodilator inhalers, your doctor may suggest that you have a four-week trial using a long-acting bronchodilator and a corticosteroid inhaler. The trial will only be continued if it helps to control your symptoms.

If you have severe COPD, your doctor may recommend that you use a corticosteroid inhaler without having a four-week trial. This is because there is some evidence to suggest that corticosteroids prevent flare-ups in those with very severe COPD.

There are several types of corticosteroid inhalers:

• beclometasone,
• budesonide,
• fluticasone, and
• mometasone.

Related posts:

1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
2. Diagnosing and treating asbestosis
3. Diagnosing and treating bronchiolitis
4. Diagnosing and treating bronchitis
5. Diagnosing and treating aneurysm circulation disorder
6. Symptoms, causes and diagnosing aspergillosis
7. Treating adult chest infection
8. Diagnosing adult chest infection