How to Recognize the Early Signs of COPD
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

How to Recognize the Early Signs of COPD

November is COPD Awareness Month and an important step in helping the estimated 18 million Americans living with the undiagnosed condition to learn the symptoms and begin treatment.

The sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD refers to several chronic lung diseases that limit airflow in and out of the lungs. These include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma. COPD is a chronic disease that worsens over time as the damaged lung tissue does not repair itself. However, early diagnosis can lead to treatment that can slow the progression of the disease, improve symptoms, reduce the need for hospital stays out of hospital, and lead to a longer life.  

 

Common early symptoms of COPD include:

  • Shortness of breath after exertion or, in severe cases, after minimal exertion or even at rest

  • A lingering cough with or without mucous

  • Wheezing

  • Tightness in your chest

  • Weight loss

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Fatigue

  • A blue tinge to the skin caused by insufficient oxygen

  • Reoccurring lung infections like acute bronchitis or pneumonia

 

It’s important to note that you don’t need to experience all these symptoms to have COPD.

In addition, COPD can develop slowly over time. As the disease progresses, symptoms often get increasingly worse. Very often, people find themselves cutting back on their day-to-day routines and activities in response to symptoms, which has the unfortunate effect of further reducing lung function.

Take a free online COPD Risk Screener

The COPD Foundation offers a free online risk screener to help you assess your symptoms.

Comprised of five simple question, it takes less than a minute to complete and can help you—and your health care provider—assess your risk for having the disease.
Click HERE to take the risk screener.

 

Again, there are ways to manage and treat COPD. The sooner you get diagnosed, the sooner you can begin a treatment plan to keep your lungs as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

Diagnosing COPD involves a simple, non-invasive breathing test called spirometry. Other measures used to confirm a diagnosis include:

  • a physical examination

  • medical history

  • gas transfer and lung volume tests

  • blood tests

  • sputum analysis

  • chest x-ray

  • computed tomography (CT) scan.

If you’re diagnosed with COPD, treatment options may include medications, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation. While treatment will not repair damaged lung tissue, it can help slow the disease’s progress and prevent further loss of lung function.

If you’re experiencing symptoms or are concerned about COPD, contact your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment to be evaluated. 

 

Disha Geriani, MD specializes in pulmonary medicine and critical care at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington.

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Six Questions with the Medical Director of SVMC Orthopedics

Dr. Michaela Schneiderbauer, medical director of orthopedics and orthopedic surgeon, answers six questions about getting orthopedic care right now.

1. What types of patients are you able to treat right now?

We are happy to see patients with all sorts of conditions returning to the practice for care. Patients have heard that the Governor has lifted restrictions for elective procedures, and they are ready to investigate their options for joint pain relief. Plus, the weather is getting nice again, so people are active outside. We've seen an increase in injuries related to outdoor activity, too.


2. Are you seeing patients remotely via telemedicine?

Yes. We offer telemedicine, and we use it a lot. Of course, there are limitations for those that need an X-ray or a physical exam. But telemedicine is a great option for initial visits when we need to collect patients' health history and for follow-ups.


3. How has care in the office changed over the past several months?

Patients will notice that we have gone beyond all of the Centers for Disease Control and Vermont Department of Health recommendations for office visits. All of our staff are wearing masks and shields or goggles, and patients are expected to wear a cloth face covering when they come in. In addition, we are making efforts to limit the number of people in our waiting rooms and office at any one time. For example, part of the check-in process now happens on the phone, instead of in person.


4. How is preparing for a surgery and recovering from a surgery different since COVID-19 became a concern?

Like for office visits, our pre-surgery processes have all been ramped up well beyond the state and national recommendations designed to decrease risk of contracting COVID-19. A few days before the surgery, we test patients for COVID-19 and ask them to self-quarantine until their procedure. The patient arrives to the hospital in their own cloth face covering. Visitors are limited. After the procedure, we provide patients with an app that allows them to note their temperature and any type of respiratory symptoms for a few weeks. If any of the information falls outside the norm, a nurse gives the patient a call. These are all examples of ways we are going beyond our very high infection-prevention standards to ensure safety for patients, their families, and our staff.


5. What would you like to share with people who postponed a joint replacement or other orthopedic care because of COVID-19?

Here in Vermont cases of COVID-19 cases have been relatively low. The Governor has given his approval by lifting restrictions for elective procedures, even those requiring an overnight hospital stay. SVMC started with an exceptionally low rate of hospital-acquired infections and added many extra precautions on top of that. We have the attitude that it is definitely safe to resume care both surgeries and other types of orthopedic care.


6. What are the greatest risks and rewards related to having orthopedic care now?

From our position as one of the safest hospitals in one of the safest states, the risks of contracting COVID-19 and other illnesses during a procedure or other care are very low. Many patients know this. They are coming in for their procedures and joint replacements. Many of them will recover and be active again in time to really enjoy this summer. That’s our goal: to help every patient resolve their orthopedic issues so that they can get back to doing the things they love.

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