Causes of COPD

Although smoking is the biggest cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease but there are few other factors too that causes COPD in people. Some of the other factors that cause COPD include:

• Lack of protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin
• Exposure to heavy smoke and pollution
• Continuous exposure to certain smokes or gases in the workplace
• Regular use of cooking fire without proper ventilation

COPD and Breathing

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is known to cause changes in lungs and airways such as the walls of the air sacs are destroyed, airways and air sacs lose their stretch ability, the airways walls thickened and inflamed, airways become clogged with mucus. People suffering from COPD may suffer from any of these changes in lungs that further reduce flow of air in and out of the lungs. Due to this the body is deprived of much-needed oxygen.

Symptoms of COPD

Knowing the symptoms of COPD is a vital part of managing the illness because it will help in beginning the treatment early. Early treatment is effective and preserves the lung functioning for the long term. Timely and precise assessment of the symptoms will help in better manage of the treatment. Some of the symptoms associated with the disease include:

• Fatigue
• Respiratory infections
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Breathing problem

Test of COPD

Doctors carefully examine the patients and carry out few tests to diagnose the COPD. A stethoscope is used by the doctor to listen to the lungs but sometime it is difficult to detect the problem with stethoscope so doctor may recommend Spirometry test. In this test the patient blow out as hard as possible into a small machine that tests the capacity of the patient’s lung. Imaging tests such as X-rays and CT scans are also proves helpful in detecting COPD. Some patients are recommended for arterial blood gas test to measure the oxygen and carbon-di-oxide amount in the blood.

Treatment of COPD

There is no cure of COPD but patients can relieve the symptoms and prevent the disease from getting worse. Quitting the smoking habit is the best way to slow the lung damage. Besides, some of the medications are found effective in controlling the COPD symptoms. Combivent and Flovent are some of the drugs that effectively control COPD symptoms.

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Primary Causes of High Cholesterol:

There are a number of things that are held responsible for the high cholesterol. Intake of fat in the diet triggers cholesterol level. The following types of food are responsible for causing high cholesterol:

• Cholesterol taken in the form of egg yolk, meat and cheese
• Saturated fat found in meat, dairy products, chocolates, deep-fried and processed foods
• Trans fat found in some fried and processed food

Beside the eating habit, some other factors that contribute to high cholesterol are being overweight or some health problems like diabetes or liver and kidney disease.

Symptoms of High Cholesterol:

High cholesterol is also called ‘silent killer’ since it is tough to spot its obvious signs and symptoms of the disease. This condition is a risk factor that give rise to other illness but by itself doesn’t show any symptom. Thus, people above the age of twenty years are advised to get a lipoprotein profile so that they can know their  cholesterol numbers. People experiencing any of the following symptoms must immediately report to the doctor:

• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid or irregular heartbeats
• Dizziness
• Nausea & Vomiting

Diagnosis and Treatment of High Cholesterol:

Quick and effective consultation is needed to treat the disease. Your doctor will diagnose your high blood cholesterol by checking the cholesterol levels in your blood. They conduct a particular blood test called lipoprotein profile to measure your cholesterol levels. You are advised to be empty stomach twelve hours prior to the test. Doctors draw a small sample of blood from your arm and analyzed in a laboratory. Once test are done, doctors may recommend several lifestyle changes related to diet, weight, physical activity and exposure to tobacco. They also prescribe effective medication such as Crestor to treat the disease. It’s however important to consult the doctor before starting the medication.

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