A group of progressive lung diseases is called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the most common among them. There are both of these conditions in many people with COPD. There are inflammation and narrowing of your bronchial tubes due to bronchitis and this leads to mucus build-up. There will be a problem in your outward airflow if you have emphysema as it slowly destroys air sacs in your lungs. A number of patients from the developed countries come to India for treatment because of the low cost here. The best medical tourism companies in India help these patients in getting proper treatment.

Symptoms

You will have difficulty in breathing if you develop COPD. In the first stage, there can be mild symptoms. The symptoms can worsen as time passes and your lungs become more damaged. Some of the symptoms are mentioned below.

  • There can be difficulty in breathing.
  • There can be a chronic cough.
  • There can be frequent need of clearing your throat.
  • There can be wheezing.
  • There can be the need to regularly clear mucus from your lungs.
  • There can be respiratory infections, flu or frequent colds.
  • There can be a lack of energy.
  • There can be a feeling of fatigue.
  • There can be swelling of the legs, ankles or feet.
  • There can be weight loss.

If you are a smoker or are frequently exposed to secondhand smoke, symptoms can be much worse.

Causes

The main cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. A large number of people having COPD are either smokers or former smokers. Exposure to secondhand smoke also causes COPD. Inhaling dust and long-term exposure to air pollution are other causes of COPD. A large number of foreign patients develop COPD due to these reasons. They seek the help of the best medical tourism companies after coming to India for treatment.

Diagnosis

The doctor can diagnose a case of COPD based on the symptoms, a physical exam and diagnostic test results. You must tell all your symptoms to the doctor. As you breathe, the doctor will listen to your lungs with the help of a stethoscope during the physical exam. The results of the following tests will help the doctor to understand your condition properly:

  • Spirometry. A noninvasive test for assessing lung function is spirometry. You will take a breath art first. After that, you will blow into a tube connected to the spirometer.
  • Imaging Tests. The images from a chest X-ray or CT scan can provide a detailed look at your lungs, heart and blood vessels.
  • Arterial Blood Gas Test. A blood sample is taken from an artery in this test for measuring your blood oxygen, carbon dioxide and some other important parameters.

Treatment

You can get relief from symptoms and prevent complications by having effective treatment for CPOD. The progression of the disease also slows down. There are different treatment options including medication, oxygen therapy, surgery and changes in your lifestyle.