Poptren.suara.com – One of the most frightening diseases when air pollution is harmful is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).
COPD is a medical condition that involves narrowing of the airways and chronic inflammation of the lungs. This condition is generally caused by long-term exposure to harmful substances, especially cigarette smoke.
COPD is generally a progressive disease, which means that the symptoms will get worse over time.
Medically, COPD includes two main diseases, namely emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These two diseases have different characteristics, but often occur together in COPD.
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The following describes the two diseases:
Emphysema
This occurs when the walls of the alveoli (small air sacs in the lungs) are damaged and lose elasticity. As a result, the surface used for air exchange with blood is reduced, causing sufferers to experience difficulty breathing.
Chronic Bronchitis
This is an inflammation of the main airways (bronchi) that produces excess mucus. This can cause narrowing of the airways and block the flow of air in and out of the lungs.
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COPD symptoms can vary, but common symptoms include a cough that lasts a long time, excess mucus production, shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Although COPD cannot be completely cured, treatments can help reduce symptoms and slow disease progression.
Treatment measures include cessation of exposure to harmful substances such as cigarette smoke, the use of bronchodilator drugs to help widen the airways, as well as pulmonary rehabilitation programs that involve physical exercise and education about disease management.
