Bronchiolitis does not damage the lungs in most cases although in severe cases of bronchiolitis can lead to lung damage and lung failure.
The symptoms of bronchiolitis in adults includes coughing and trouble breathing.
Most cases of bronchiolitis are mild although in serious cases bronchiolitis can lead to lung failure.
Inflammation of the bronchioles can cause a blockage of oxygen in the airways that leads to the trouble breathing and coughing.
Adults get bronchiolitis through viruses which are contagious and are spread through sneezing, coughing or by touching secretions from the mouth or nose.
The main cause of bronchiolitis are respiratory viruses which include human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza, RSV, Respiratory syncytial virus and influenza.
Infants and babies with RSV infections are also more likely to get bronchiolitis with difficulty breathing and wheezing.
Bronchiolitis is a form of COPD.
Chronic bronchitis is a form of COPD which is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
The pathological hallmarks of COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is inflammation of your small airways which is called bronchiolitis and also emphysema which is destruction of your lung parenchyma.
Lungs do not regenerate or repair themselves after COPD as COPD is a permanent condition and lifelong as there's no cure for COPD.
However treatments for COPD are available which can help you breathe better and help you live longer.
During the last days of COPD the person will usually have symptoms of hypersomnolence, irregular breathing patterns, disorientation, mottled skin, reduced production of urine, cool extremities, trouble breathing, lower blood pressure and they may sleep more or feel more tired.
The 3 treatments for COPD are COPD medications, Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Noninvasive Ventilation.
Endobronchial Valve therapy and supplemental oxygen are other treatments for COPD as well as inhaler medications that can be used to treat COPD and improve breathing.
The average COPD patient lives for 10 years to 20 years although some may live a bit longer or shorter depending on their age and current overall health.
The way COPD progresses to death is over time your body is less able to take in the required amount of oxygen which then leads to death as you need enough oxygen to survive.
The final stages of COPD before death are weight loss, fast resting heartbeat, irregular heartbeat, delirium, being out of breath for a very long time, constant wheezing, barrel chest and crackling sound as you start to breathe in.
The signs that COPD is getting worse are your oxygen level drops constantly or drops below 88 percent, you feel short of breath suddenly, your cough gets worse, and you may cough of phlegm which can be thicker than normal or another unusual color.
A normal oxygen level for someone with COPD is between 88% to 92%.
Oxygen levels below 88% are considered dangerous and you should seek medical attention if the oxygen level drops below 88 percent.
People with COPD tend to live 8 years to 9 years after diagnoses with COPD.
However some people may live 10 to 20 years with COPD as long as they manage the COPD and depending on their age.
The early warning signs of COPD are shortness of breath, wheezing or chest tightness, cough that can bring up sputum also known as phlegm or mucus, fatigue or tiredness and reoccurring lung infections such as acute bronchitis or pneumonia.
The 4 stage of COPD are.
Stage I (early)
Stage II (Moderate)
Stage III (Severe)
Stage IV (Very Severe)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems.
It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
COPD makes your breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have this disease.
The exact length of time you can live with COPD depends on your age, health, and symptoms.
Especially if your COPD is diagnosed early, if you have mild stage COPD, and your disease is well managed and controlled, you may be able to live for 10 or even 20 years after diagnosis.
Keep indoor air clean. Reducing air pollution in the home can also help a person cope with COPD.
Certain products can trigger a flare or worsen their symptoms.
If you're assisting with the housekeeping, don't use strong scented cleaning products around your loved one, especially if there's poor ventilation.
Although COPD is terminal, people may not always die of the condition directly, or of oxygen deprivation.
Some people with COPD have other medical conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease.
In fact, within 5 years of diagnosis, COPD is also an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death.
COPD is A lung disease that blocks a persons airflow which makes it difficult for the person with COPD to breathe.
Symptoms of COPD are, Shortness of breath, Tightness In The Chest, Constant Clearing your Throat first thing in the morning because of excess mucus built up inside your lungs, Chronic coughs with or without mucus that is clear white, greenish or even yellow and even wheezing.
You may also experience a dry cough or constant fatigue along with COPD.
COPD needs to be treated by a doctor as if not treated COPD can become life threatening.
If you have COPD you'll likely start using an inhaler for the lung condition.