Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema are chronic lung conditions that literally take your breath away. If you’re limited by persistent shortness of breath, coughing, or frequent respiratory infections, you can find help at LungDocs. Pulmonary specialist Rajesh Shetty, MD, uses advanced testing to evaluate the health of your lungs and confirm a COPD or emphysema diagnosis. The providers offer treatment strategies to improve your breathing and preserve your long-term lung function. Call the Kyle or New Braunfels, Texas, office to schedule a COPD and emphysema consultation or book an appointment online today.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases that affect your ability to take in enough oxygen when you breathe.
The primary cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. You can also develop COPD if you’re exposed to chemicals and other toxins in your environment.
LungDocs specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of several types of lung diseases that fall under the COPD umbrella, including:
Emphysema is a progressive type of COPD that develops when there’s damage in the tiny air sacs in the lungs. Over time, the lungs become less elastic, and breathing becomes more difficult.
Chronic bronchitis is a lung disease that causes chronic inflammation in the bronchial tubes that carry oxygen to and from your lungs.
You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation at LungDocs if you have any symptoms of COPD, including:
COPD symptoms typically don’t become noticeable until the disease progresses. If you have a history of smoking or a family history of emphysema or chronic bronchitis, discuss your options for preventive screenings with the LungDocs providers.
The pulmonary specialists use pulmonary function tests, chest X-rays, and other diagnostic tests to assess your lung function and confirm your diagnosis. They create a treatment plan to ease any symptoms you have and slow the progression of the disease.
One of the most important strategies to protect your lungs from COPD is to quit smoking. If you’re not able to quit on your own, the LungDocs providers can recommend smoking cessation resources to help you quit for good.
Treatments may include oral or inhaled medications that reduce inflammation and relax the muscles in your airways. Your provider may also recommend oxygen therapy to ensure your body has the supplemental oxygen it needs to function properly.
There are exercises you can do to improve the strength of your lungs and ways to improve your nutrition to support your lung health, too.
In advanced cases of COPD, surgery may be an option. For those with emphysema, surgery to remove damaged lung tissue can improve your breathing. In the most serious situations, a lung transplant may be necessary.
Call the LungDocs office near you to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for COPD symptoms, or book an appointment online today.