Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease physiotherapy treatment

COPD London

COPD is the name given for lung disease such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema or chronic obstructive airways disease.Airflow obstruction occurs and results in breathing difficulties, persistent coughing as well as recurring chest infections.The airways suffer a persistent inflammation leading to permanent damage.

The primary cause for COPD is noxious particles or gas, most commonly from tobacco smoking, which triggers an abnormal inflammatory response in the lung. Other factors are passive smoking, air pollution, exposure to fumes and dust at work.
In the alveoli, the inflammatory response causes destruction of the tissues of the lung, a process known as emphysema.

People with COPD usually get diagnosed after 35 when it is more noticeable. Symptoms include breathlessness, persistent cough with phlegm, chest infections and wheezing. Those symptoms worsen during winter. Additional symptoms might be weight loss, fatigue and swollen ankles.
Diagnosis is made by performing breathing test called spirometery to see how well the lungs are performing. Other tests involve blood test, chest x-rays or phlegm sample.

There is currently no cure for COPD.However, treatments will help slow the progression and reduce symptoms. Chest physiotherapy and physical activities are necessary if you want to minimize the symptoms. The different chest physiotherapy techniques can help for a better quality of life and controlling the attacks as you learn for example an effective abdominal breathing, how to drain your lungs from the thick obstructing mucus, relax your chest by stretching and strengthen your respiratory
muscles in order to obtain a maximum breathing comfort in your everyday life.
Quitting smoking is the priority if the patient is a smoker. Medicines are available and are different
depending on the severity of the symptoms.