What are the 4 stages of COPD?

COPD has been observed to be caused by excessive smoking, industrial fumes and dust, or exposure to second-hand smoke. Most men die from this lung disease. Men need to detect the disease at an early stage. When you receive early treatment, you slow the progression of COPD. You can also avoid serious complications by undergoing treatment at an early stage.

It is important to know that there are four stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. At each stage, the symptoms can be different. Your doctor will determine the stage of your COPD.

After deciding on the phase, the doctor will prescribe the right drug. COPD can cause impotence problems in men. Cenforce 200 proves to be a leading drug in the treatment of impotence problems.

What are the 4 stages of COPD and COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Did you know that more than 300 million people worldwide suffer from COPD? So, what is it?

COPD is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs that blocks airflow. It is caused by long-term exposure to irritants such as environmental pollutants and cigarette smoke. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and sputum (mucus) production. Two lung conditions that often coexist with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease are chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the airways) and emphysema (a condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are destroyed).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a number of lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that cause narrowing of the airways, making it more difficult for air to be exhaled from the lungs. COPD is a chronic disease that gets worse over time.

COPD is classified into four stages by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obceptive Lung Disease (GOLD), an international organization that develops guidelines for the treatment and care of COPD.

Stage 1: Mild COPD

Stage 1 COPD is considered mild. At this point, you may not realize there is a problem with your lung function. Your doctor will assign you grade 1 COPD if your FEV1 is between 80 and 100% of the predicted value.

Symptoms

The main symptoms of stage 1 COPD are shortness of breath and persistent cough, which may be accompanied by mucus. However, these symptoms are so mild that you may not realize them.

Although the symptoms of stage 1 COPD are easy to ignore, lung damage still occurs. If you worry you may have COPD, talk to your doctor about an evaluation. And if you currently smoke, try to quit as soon as possible to protect your lungs.

In addition to quitting smoking, your doctor may also prescribe a bronchodilator medication, which relaxes the muscles in your airways to make breathing easier and is usually taken via inhaler. The most common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, tremor, runny nose, and throat irritation. If you experience serious side effects such as blurred vision, fast or irregular heartbeat, or an allergic reaction with rash or swelling, contact your doctor.

Treatment

You should also stay up to date with your annual flu and pneumonia vaccines to avoid worsening respiratory symptoms and other health complications.

Stage 2: Moderate COPD

Your COPD is considered stage 2 when your FEV1 is between 50 and 79% of the predicted value.

When stage 3 is reached, COPD is considered severe, and the forced expiratory volume is between 30 and 50% of the expected value. You may have difficulty catching your breath during household chores and may not be able to leave the house.

Symptoms

At this point, existing stage 1 symptoms intensify as airflow limitations progress. Shortness of breath during physical activities is more noticeable and coughing and mucus production may increase. Other symptoms include wheezing, fatigue and sleep disturbances.

It is often at this stage that you may become aware of symptoms and seek treatment. Your doctor may prescribe a bronchodilator medication if he or she hasn’t already done so and recommend breathing exercises. Techniques such as pursed lip breathing and coordinated breathing can help you exert less effort during physical activities and maintain an active lifestyle.

Treatment

In addition to medications, pulmonary rehabilitation is another common component of treatment for stage 2 COPD. It provides people living with COPD with the tools they need to manage the disease, reducing the severity of symptoms and improving the quality of life. In these outpatient exercise and education programs, physical therapists, dietitians, nurses and other healthcare professionals will share breathing techniques, coping strategies, nutritional advice and exercise recommendations. Your doctor can help you determine whether pulmonary rehabilitation is right for you.

The frequency of your doctor’s appointments depends on the severity of your condition. If your symptoms are mild, you may have follow-up appointments every six months, while more severe symptoms will require more frequent monitoring.

Stage 3: Severe COPD

In stage 3, COPD is considered severe, and the forced expiratory volume is between 30 and 50% of the expected value. You may have difficulty breathing during daily activities at home and may not be able to leave the house.

Symptoms

In stage 3, lung function decreased significantly. As the walls of the lung’s alveoli continue to weaken, it becomes more difficult to absorb oxygen and eliminate carbon dioxide during exhalation.

Early symptoms are more intense and noticeable: shortness of breath is worse, coughing or wheezing is more frequent, and you may produce thicker mucus.

You may also experience the following symptoms:

• Extreme tiredness or weakness
• Feeling confused or forgetful
• Swelling of the ankles, feet and legs
• tightness in the chest
• Most common lung infections

At this stage, flare-ups may occur when symptoms suddenly worsen and lung function changes dramatically. During these flare-ups, you may experience increased amounts of mucus blocking the bronchi and sudden constrictions of the muscles around the airways.

Treatment

Flare-ups are the leading cause of COPD-related hospitalizations, and it is important to act immediately if you experience symptoms of a flare-up. Pay attention to the following signs:

• Shortness of breath or shortness of breath
• Increased coughing attacks
• Wheezing or wheezing sounds when you breathe
• Increased mucus
• Tiredness or sleep problems
• Cognitive impairment, including confusion, depression, or memory loss

As part of your COPD treatment, your doctor will help you develop an action plan for managing flare-ups, including medications. Oral steroids, including prednisone, methylprednisolone, and dexamethasone, can treat COPD flare-ups. Side effects from short-term use of these drugs are usually minor, if they occur.

If you have frequent flare-ups, your doctor may prescribe inhaled corticosteroids, including Flovent® HFA and Qvar Redihaler®; expectorants, which thin and dissolve mucus; or oxygen therapy. You may also need to see your doctor every two weeks or a month for ongoing monitoring of your symptoms.

Stage 4: Very severe COPD

Stage 4 is considered very serious. Your forced expiratory volume is less than 30% of normal, and your blood oxygen level will be low. Risks of developing heart or lung failure.

Symptoms

In stage 4 COPD, lung function is very low. Stage 3 symptoms worsen and become more persistent. Shortness of breath and chest tightness occur during daily activities and simply breathing becomes a great effort. Hospitalizations for breathing complications, lung infections, or respiratory failure are common during stage 4 COPD, and sudden flare-ups can be life-threatening.

Other symptoms of stage 4 COPD include:

• A popping sound when you inhale
• Barrel chest
• Delirium
• An irregular or rapid heartbeat
• Weight loss
• Pulmonary hypertension, a form of high blood pressure that affects the arteries of the lungs and the right side of the heart

Treatment

There are several treatment options for severe COPD symptoms, including supplemental oxygen, pulmonary rehabilitation, and steroids taken orally, intravenously, or inhaled. Potential side effects of steroids include swelling of the airways and mouth, muscle weakness, weight loss, fatigue, and increased risk of pneumonia. Read our previous blog to learn more about managing medication side effects and talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

Supplemental oxygen, or oxygen therapy, helps get more oxygen to the lungs and increases tolerance to physical activities. There are several devices for oxygen therapy. The most common is a nasal cannula, a device made of two small tubes that fit into the nostrils and an attached oxygen tank. Adjusting to supplemental oxygen is a process, but over time you will become more comfortable. The American Lung Association has helpful resources for anyone starting oxygen therapy.

Lung surgery or lung transplants are also options for some people with severe COPD. Eligibility is based on many factors, including participation in a pulmonary rehabilitation program, pulmonary function tests, and additional considerations, such as whether you are strong enough for the procedure and whether you smoke. (You cannot be a current smoker to qualify for lung surgery.) Your doctor can help you determine whether lung surgery is right for you.

Conclusion

No matter what stage of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease you are experiencing, it is essential to treat it without delay. Make an appointment with your doctor to find out the stage of your COPD. This will help you get a proper treatment plan.