Our Approach
Franciscan Health's pulmonologists (lung specialists) offer an array of therapies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Whether you have chronic bronchitis, emphysema or another condition, our team provides thorough evaluation and diagnosis. Your personalized treatment plan may involve medications, lifestyle changes, pulmonary rehabilitation or interventional pulmonology treatments.How is COPD treated?
Although there is no cure for COPD, Franciscan Health doctors can treat symptoms and improve your quality of life. The first step is to stop smoking and avoid being around smoke or air pollutants. You'll have the best results if you make other lifestyle changes, including healthy eating, getting regular exercise and controlling stress.You may have therapies such as supplemental oxygen therapy and pulmonary rehabilitation. And your doctor may prescribe medications such as:
- Bronchodilators to open your airways
- Anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce swelling and irritation
- Steroids to reduce inflammation
- Theophylline to prevent wheezing and reduce chest tightness
- Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors (PDE4) to minimize exacerbations (flare-ups) and open airways
- Antibiotics to treat or prevent infections
- Zephyr® Valve system to reduce over inflation of the lungs
What is COPD?
COPD refers to a group of lung diseases, including chronic - bronchitis - and emphysema, that limits airflow and makes breathing challenging.
- Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes in your lungs. It causes irritation and excessive mucus.
- Emphysemais the gradual destruction of the alveoli, or air sacs at the end of the bronchial tubes.
People with COPD have a greater risk for high blood pressure, respiratory infections, heart complications, lung cancer and depression.
How is COPD diagnosed?
A doctor who specializes in pulmonary (lung) conditions typically diagnoses COPD. The pulmonologist will do a thorough physical exam that includes:
- Chest X-ray
- Electrocardiogram to measure your heart function
- Laboratory tests
- Medical and personal history
- Pulmonary function tests to determine lung volume and airflow
- Pulse oximetry to measure the saturation of oxygen in your blood
What causes COPD?
The two main causes of COPD are cigarette smoking and deficiency of a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT).
Air pollution and dust may also contribute to COPD, particularly when the person exposed to these irritants is a smoker. For some people, genetic factors other than AAT deficiency make COPD more likely.
COPD symptoms
Often, COPD progresses slowly, straining your heart. A weakened heart pumps blood less efficiently. Over time, you may notice shortness of breath and swelling in your legs and feet. People with COPD who have low oxygen levels might develop an enlarged heart as a result.
Signs of COPD usually don't appear until significant lung damage has already occurred. With chronic bronchitis, the main symptom is a persistent cough that lasts at least three months a year for two consecutive years. People with COPD are also likely to have periods when their symptoms worsen and persist for days or longer, called exacerbations.
Common signs and symptoms of COPD include:
- Blue lips or fingernails (cyanosis)
- Chest tightness
- Chronic cough with mucus
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Lack of energy
- Shortness of breath, especially with mild exercise
- Unintended weight loss
- Wheezing
Health Risk Assessment
What's your score? Take our LungCancerAware assessment, and in just minutes, receive a free, confidential analysis of your current risk factors for developing lung disease.Our Locations
Address
12750 Saint Francis Drive
Suite 410
Crown Point, IN 46307
Loading Map...
