Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

COPD is a progressive (i.e. gets worse with time), chronic, inflammatory lung disease obstructing air-flow to the lungs, mainly caused by breathing pollutants.

To help understand what is going on with COPD, first please see  brief description of how the lungs work:

The lungs 101

COPD damage reduces the natural elasticity of the alveoli (air sacs) and bronchial tubes.   Elasticity is required to force out air/carbon dioxide for exhalation. As a  consequence, unexpelled air is trapped in the lungs, which makes it difficult for the air sacs to deflate and bring in new air

Image: www.lung.net/copd

COPD describes several progressive lung diseases characterized by shortness of breath.  Includes:

•   CHRONIC bronchitis.   The constant irritation/inflammation of the MUCUS MEMBRANE LINING (epithelium) of the bronchial airways (bronchi/bronchioles, which carry air to and from the alveoli of the lungs), causes it to swell and produce mucus, which narrows the airways, making it harder to breathe; a cough ensues to try and clear the mucus.

FYI - Mucus membranes also line the sinuses, GI and urinary tracts

•   Emphysema.   Breakdown of the elastin of lung connective tissues weakens/damages the thin walls and fibers of the alveoli (air sacs) at the end of the smallest bronchial airways (bronchioles); the alveoli walls eventually break down, producing less, but larger air spaces instead of many small ones, and so reducing the surface area available for gas exchange; 

•   Non-reversible asthma

•   Some forms of bronchietasis

COPD is the THIRD leading cause of death in the U.S. affecting ~30 million Americans.   Of those, >50% are unaware they have it

COPD progression causes loss of lung function.     Can increase risk for:

•   Respiratory infections.    E.g. flu, colds, pneumonia - making it even more difficult to breathe

•   Lung cancer 

•   Pulmonary hypertension.    High blood pressure in arteries delivering blood to lung 

•   Heart disease.    Reason not well understood

COPD Diagnosis

A breathing test, called spirometry, measures the amount of air blown out of the lungs in how long.    This simple test can detect COPD ahead of symptoms

COPD Symptoms

•   Increased breathlessness - especially during activities

• Chronic / Ongoing cough (trying to clear produced sputum/mucus) - especially first thing in the morning

•   Frequent repiratory infections

•   Wheezing

•   Blueness of lips or fingernail beds (cyanosis) - due to lower oxygen availability

•   Chest tightness

Causes / Risk Factors of COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

Most COPD is caused by inhalation of pollutants.   Including:

•    Smoking (LEADING CAUSE IN U.S.) and second-hand smoke - ~90% of those with COPD have  a history of smoking; 

•    Chemicals, fumes, dust in occupational environments - especially those who have had long term exposure

•    In the developing world, breathing cooking fuel or poorly vented heating fumes  

Being over 40 years old and male.   Although most COPD deaths are women

Genetics.    ~1% of those with COPD have a deficiency of  liver-produced, lung-protective alpha-1 antitrypsin protein (AAt), which is the most commonly known genetic risk for emphysema - with the result that white blood cells (WBCs) are able to harm the lungs

>90% of bronchial infections are caused by a virus

Albert, RH (1 December 2010). "Diagnosis and treatment of acute bronchitis.".American family physician(11): 1345-50. PubMed

Alternative treatment options for COPD

Avoid irritants

• Stop smoking or breathing second-hand smoke
• Minimize occupational exposure to pollutants

Nebulize anti-infective "Medicine"

• Use a nebulizer to deliver an alternative antimicrobial medicine directly into the lungs - choices of alternative antibiotics include ionic colloidal silver, grapefruit seed extract, hydrogen peroxide, iodine, magnesium chloride, glutathione and others;

Alternative medicines administered via a nebulizer

Ensure body contains sufficient Magnesium and Vitamin D

The fastest way to increase magnesium presence in your body is to apply magnesium chloride oil (MCO) transdermally:

Transdermal Magnesium Chloride

The best way to increase body's vitamin D levels is to take a sunbath:

How to obtain Vitamin D

Taking a Sunbath for Vitamin D

Ensure anti-inflammatory components in your diet and Lifestyle

Inflammation Medication

Especially Omega-3:

How to obtain Omega-3

Attend to health of Mucus membranes

Keep well hydrated - drink enough water; also breathing water vapor helps loosen mucus and makes breathing easier

Ensure sufficient dietary/supplementary antioxidants - to counter inflammation by reducing free radicals

Herbs to soothe and lubricate mucus membranes - include slippery elm, marshmallow, licorice, mullein

Consume zinc-rich foods - especially  pumpkin seeds

Nebulizing moistens mucus membranes

Proteolytic enzymes - E.g. bromain, papain and serrapeptase all reduce inflammation, but serrapeptase especially helps break down excessive mucus