Stages Of COPD<\/h2>\n
Although its name makes it seem like a single disease, it really isn\u2019t. In fact, it is a group of related diseases all of which are pulmonary and can make you feel out of breath. Depending on the intensity of the disease, the affected patients are placed in one of four categories i.e. stages.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Early Stage COPD (I)<\/li>\n
- Moderate Stage COPD (II)<\/li>\n
- Severe COPD (III)<\/li>\n
- Very severe COPD (IV)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Early Stage COPD<\/h3>\n
In its early stage, the patient manifests symptoms in a very mild and discreet manner. The symptoms are unnoticeable so much so that it is very rare for somebody to visit a doctor at this point. Most people are alerted that there may be something seriously wrong with their breathing apparatus at a later stage. However, if you are very observant and are experiencing a persistent cough or are spitting phlegm on a regular basis, then you must see a doctor at the earliest.<\/p>\n
Moderate Stage COPD<\/h3>\n
This is the stage where symptoms actually aggravate to a degree where the patient is wondering, \u201cSomething is wrong with me.\u201d\u00a0 This is the most common stage at which most patients visit a doctor for the first time. The symptoms that are observed at this stage are trouble breathing especially in extreme weathers (such as a snowstorm), trouble sleeping, wheezing during a flare-up, coughing all the time and spitting out a white, yellow or green mucus. Likewise, some mental indications include forgetfulness, tiredness, and confusion.
\nTo diagnose stage II, medical specialists conduct a breathing test. One of the results for this test is FEV1<\/a>. A stage II patient would have an FEV1 from 50-80%.<\/p>\nStage III COPD<\/h3>\n
Stage III is the point where things get so worse that your condition starts to take a toll on your daily life. You begin to experience more frequent flare-ups. You may start having chest tightness and a faster heartbeat than normal. Your lips and nails may be tinted blue. Some patients also have swollen feet, hands, and legs.<\/p>\n
Very Severe COPD<\/h3>\n
The fourth stage is the end stage of this disease. It is characterized by irreparable damage to the airways and alveoli with the breathing mechanism disturbed and almost out of order. When a patient of Stage IV struggles to catch a breath, it is an unfortunate spectacle. It seems as if he is dying and breathing his last. Some other signs and symptoms that act as markers for this stage are:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Crackling sound while breathing<\/li>\n
- Expirations that last for a longer duration than normal<\/li>\n
- Constant coughing and wheezing<\/li>\n
- Barrel-shaped chest<\/li>\n
- Acute exacerbations<\/li>\n
- Low blood oxygen levels<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Causes Of COPD<\/h2>\n
Extensive research done into the causes of COPD reveals that the most common everyday activity that leads up to the disease is smoking.<\/p>\n
Smoking and COPD<\/h3>\n
![\"Smoking](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fnfdoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/Lung-Smoking.png?resize=843%2C474&ssl=1\")
Smoking And COPD<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n COPD has become a global public health crisis over the decades. According to estimates, nearly a billion people would die of tobacco use in the 21st\u00a0<\/sup>century. According to studies, about 15-20% of long-term smokers develop COPD with heavy smokers(over three packs a day) showing a greater incidence of the illness.
\nActually when a person smokes and the tobacco burns, a large number of chemicals enter his airstream. These chemicals include tars, nicotine and carbon monoxide. As these chemicals reach the lungs, they cause inflammation of airways and air sacs. Also, they change normal cells into malignant cells. In addition to causing cancer, these cells are fully capable of increasing the production of mucus in the lungs.<\/p>\nMust Read:\u00a0Cancer A Leading Chronic Disease And Prevention<\/a><\/p>\n
When large amounts of mucus are being secreted in the lungs, it clogs and obstructs the respiratory channels. The passage of respiratory gases is hindered. As a result, the affected person feels out of breath for long periods of time and coughs out mucus regularly. The long and short of it is that smoking prevents the lungs from performing their main role i.e. gaseous exchange. Consequently, smokers are at a higher risk of suffering from COPD, lung cancer, Tuberculosis<\/a>, pneumonia, chest infection, and emphysema.<\/p>\n
![\"Tobbaco](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/fnfdoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Tobbaco-Smoking.jpg?resize=843%2C474&ssl=1\")