Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Bronchitis causes your bronchial tubes to swell and narrow and this leads to a build-up of mucus. If you have emphysema, you will have problems with your external airflow as it slowly destroys the air sacs in your lungs. Due to the low cost here, a large number of patients from developed countries come to India for treatment. The best medical tourism companies in India help these patients to get proper treatment.
Symptom
You will have difficulty breathing if you have COPD. There may be mild symptoms in the first stage. Symptoms may get worse over time and your lungs become more damaged. Some of the symptoms are mentioned below.
There may be difficulty in breathing.
There may be a chronic cough.
There may be a frequent need to clear your throat.
There may be wheezing.
Mucus from your lungs may need to be cleared regularly.
Respiratory infections, flu or frequent colds can occur.
There may be a lack of energy.
There may be a feeling of tiredness.
Swelling of the feet, ankles, or feet may occur.
Weight loss may occur.
If you are a smoker or are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke, symptoms can be much worse.
Cause
Cigarette smoking is the main cause of COPD. A large number of people with COPD are either smokers or former smokers. COPD is also caused by exposure to secondhand smoke. Dust breathing and prolonged exposure to air pollution are other causes of COPD. For these reasons, a large number of foreign patients develop COPD. They take the help of the best medical tourism companies after coming to India for treatment.
Diagnosis
Doctors can diagnose a case of COPD based on symptoms, physical examination, and diagnostic test results. You should tell all your symptoms to the doctor. As you breathe, the doctor will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope during a physical exam. The results of the following tests will help the doctor better understand your condition:
Spirometry. A non-invasive test to assess lung function is spirometry. You will take a breath art first. After that, you'll blow into a tube attached to the spirometer.
Imaging test. Images from a chest X-ray or CT scan can provide a detailed view of your lungs, heart, and blood vessels.
Arterial blood gas test. In this test a sample of blood is taken from an artery to measure your blood oxygen, carbon dioxide and some other important parameters.
Treatment
With effective treatment for CPOD, you can relieve symptoms and prevent complications. The progression of the disease also slows down. There are various treatment options, including medication, oxygen therapy, surgery, and changes to your lifestyle.