Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Treatment Near You in New Jersey
Suffering from respiratory issues can make daily activities feel like chores. Because breathing is so integral to our everyday lives, those dealing with lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should seek medical treatment. At Bergen Medical Associates, our team of internal medicine specialists provides northern New Jersey residents with reliable medical care. Learn more about the COPD treatments we offer.
What Is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a lung condition caused by inflammation in the airways leading to and from the lungs. This inflammation limits the flow of air and creates an obstruction, which can lead to difficulty breathing. Since COPD is a chronic disease, sufferers will have to deal with it day in and day out. Fortunately, seeking COPD treatment can help provide relief.
COPD comes in many forms, but two of the most common are emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which often occur at the same time. Emphysema is a lung disease characterized by enlarged and damaged lung alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs that allow for gaseous exchange. This makes it more difficult for air to move through your respiratory system, causing you to feel short of breath. Chronic bronchitis results in inflammation within the lining of the bronchi, which are the tubes that allow air to enter the lungs. This may cause buildup of mucus in the airways, further disrupting your breathing.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of COPD?
Symptoms of COPD may not show themselves right away since the damage to your lungs may take a while to show its effects. However, if you notice any of the following, you may be suffering from COPD:
- Tightness or heaviness in the chest
- Wheezing while breathing
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity
- Inability to breathe deeply
- Continual coughing
- Mucus coming up during coughing
- Fatigue
- Frequent infections within the lungs
- Swelling within the feet, ankles, and legs
These symptoms may not all be present, and they may be worse at some times than others. Certain triggers, including infections and other illnesses, cool air, polluted air, and certain smells, may exacerbate your symptoms, causing increased mucus and coughing, difficulty breathing, and even fevers.
What Are the Causes and Risk Factors of COPD?
COPD in developed countries is most likely a result of continued tobacco smoking, which can cause significant damage to the lungs. You can also get the disease from cigar and pipe smoke and secondhand smoke. Other causes relate to one’s living or work environment, as spaces that create prolonged exposure to chemical fumes can bring about the disease.
Along with people who smoke, people with asthma may also be at a greater risk of developing COPD because they already have narrower airways. Lastly, a gene change based on one’s hereditary makeup can result in a deficiency in the alpha-1-antitrypsin protein. While this is a rare case, with only 1% of people with COPD getting it this way, doctors may ask about a family history of COPD to rule out the condition.
How Is COPD Diagnosed?
Diagnosing COPD can be difficult because its symptoms mirror several other lung conditions. However, medical professionals can assess your condition and review your family and medical histories to determine which steps to take. One of the simplest ways they can evaluate the performance and condition of your lungs is through pulmonary function tests. These diagnostic tests include spirometry, lung volume tests, lung diffusion tests, pulse oximetry, and exercise stress tests.
They may also opt for imaging tests such as X-rays or CT scans. Imaging tests offer a noninvasive way for medical professionals to look inside the body, giving them a more in-depth look at what’s going on. Both pulmonary function tests and imaging tests are also used to monitor the progress of treatment plans. Lab tests, such as blood tests, may also be recommended to exclude other conditions.
What Are COPD Treatment Options?
Once COPD has been identified, a treatment plan will be implemented. If you smoke, doctors will first recommend that you stop. There are also various medications that can help treat COPD symptoms. These medications are often given through an inhaler or a nebulizer, each of which helps send them directly into your lungs.
Doctors may prescribe bronchodilators if the patient is struggling with frequent coughing. Inhaled steroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation. Combination inhalers, which involve several types of bronchodilators in one, may also be used. Other treatment options include:
- Oral steroids, which are great for short bouts of symptoms
- Antibiotics, which are helpful for those also dealing with respiratory infections
- Therapies such as oxygen therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation, which can help with your overall breathing
There are even in-home ventilation therapies that are effective in preventing bouts of symptoms. If you’re dealing with severe forms of COPD, doctors may recommend surgery. Options include lung volume reduction surgery, during which small sections of damaged lung tissue are removed, or endoscopic lung volume reduction, where a tiny valve is surgically inserted into the lung. A lung transplant may also be used as a last resort.
Find COPD Treatment Near You in New Jersey
If you’re looking for effective COPD treatment near you in northern New Jersey, turn to the internal medicine team at Bergen Medical Associates. We have years of experience and in-depth training, allowing us to provide each patient with unparalleled care. Our medical practice features board-certified physicians in various specialties ready to provide personalized care that goes above and beyond.
For those looking to meet with a member of our internal medicine team, you’ll be happy to know that we use an electronic health records system that digitally links your PCP with any specialist within our practice. This ensures that all your medical information is instantly available, allowing for convenient visits. If you’re interested in making an appointment for COPD treatment, contact us today. We have locations in Emerson, Montvale, Northvale, Paramus, and Ridgewood, NJ, making it easy to find treatment near you.
