Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious and progressive lung disease. In fact, COPD is one of the top ten chronic, leading causes of death for seniors so it's important to know what causes it and how to prevent its development.
In this post, we'll be discussing the signs and symptoms of COPD in seniors, how it is diagnosed, common risk factors, and its short and long-term effects.
What is COPD?
COPD is a term describing several long-term respiratory diseases that obstruct a person's ability to breathe. The two main conditions are emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and they tend to occur together. Emphysema refers to enlarged spaces in the lungs and permanent damage to the lung tissue. Chronic bronchitis, meanwhile, is a persistent cough that lasts for months.
Someone can be living with emphysema or chronic bronchitis without having COPD, but when they limit airflow and make it hard to breathe, the person is often also diagnosed with COPD.
What are the Symptoms of COPD in Seniors?
COPD usually begins as a persistent shortness of breath. Coughing, common chest infections, and wheezing tend to follow. Also, coughing from chronic bronchitis or COPD will usually bring up mucus. This will tend to last for months at a time, and this chronic nature of the symptom is often the first sign someone has COPD.
As the disease progresses, these symptoms may become worse or new ones may emerge. Seniors with COPD often feel short of breath with everyday activities such as walking up the stairs or completing household chores. In the long term, COPD may also cause insomnia, weight loss, or chest pain.
What Causes COPD?
The primary cause of COPD is prolonged exposure to tobacco smoke. The majority of seniors living with COPD are former smokers, and consistent tobacco smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Other common causes include environmental irritants such as air pollution, secondhand smoke, and workplace chemicals. Genetics may also make some seniors more susceptible to COPD.
Can You Suddenly Get COPD as an Older Adult?
COPD is a progressive disease, which means that it develops slowly over time. However, older adults may be at an increased risk for sudden onset COPD for several reasons. Age-related changes in the lungs and respiratory system make the airways more sensitive to irritants such as tobacco smoke or air pollution, so exposure to these chemicals can cause lung damage even without prolonged contact.
Diagnosing COPD often requires a battery of tests. These tests measure shortness of breath, lung function, and airflow obstruction. Doctors will be able to tell how severe a case of COPD is based on this data. Anyone older than 35 who has persistent symptoms of COPD should speak with a medical professional right away.
Senior Helpers Offers Personalized Care Services
COPD is a serious respiratory illness that can have severe and potentially life-threatening symptoms if left untreated. It's important to be aware of the risk factors, including age, so you can take preventative steps to protect your or your loved one's health.
To learn more about caregiving services that can help prevent or manage COPD, contact Senior Helpers Treasure Coast today. Our professional caregivers offer in-home support for seniors living with COPD in and around the Salerno, Stuart, Palm City, Jensen Beach, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach, and Sebastian areas.