What is COPD and How Can You Prevent It?

Palmetto Internal Medicine and Dr. Balasubramanyam Krishniah can handle many common health problems, including the devastating COPD. Mauldin, SC residents with this condition must understand their care options to focus their treatment and walk away healthy. Here are a few things to consider about it and different ways you can potentially prevent it.

What is This Condition?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a progressive condition affecting your lungs. As it worsens, it can severely impact your ability to breathe. Many people across the country have it, to the point where it’s one of the most common causes of death across the United States. 

It occurs when you develop airway inflammation and scarring throughout the lungs that causes damage to the air sacs in the lungs. Conditions like emphysema and chronic bronchitis fall under this heading. The sad thing is that it’s mostly preventable for most people.

How Can You Prevent It?

At Palmetto Internal Medicine, Dr. Krishniah can help mitigate your COPD symptoms in Mauldin, SC, and also help you prevent them from ever happening. While it might naturally occur to some people anyway, it’s usually caused by unhealthy behaviors.

You should:

• Stop smoking cigarettes or any other substance, as it is the biggest cause of this condition 
• Stay away from secondhand smoke, as even it can damage your lungs seriously
• Keep away from other pollutants, such as dust particles, chemicals, and air pollution 
• Ventilate your kitchen whenever you cook to avoid inhaling smoke and other contaminants
• Keep physically active to strengthen your lungs and improve your overall endurance 
• Eat a healthy diet that focuses heavily on plant-based foods with lots of antioxidants

Unfortunately, if you develop this condition, even after taking these steps, you can still get treatment. We can provide inhaled medications that minimize your attacks and open your lungs. Various types of valve treatments may also help, as can pulmonary rehabilitation programs that can strengthen your lungs. 

Supplemental oxygen can be tried in severe cases to ensure your lungs get the needed air. If it’s hard to get around due to this disease, keep your air quality strong by avoiding chemical cleaners and keeping your windows open whenever possible to keep airflow strong.

Therapy is Available for You

Palmetto Internal Medicine with Dr. Krishniah can provide therapies for COPD in Mauldin, SC, that can reduce your symptoms and help you breathe easier. Even if this condition can’t be reversed, we can slow it down and keep your lungs healthier. Call us at 864-277-8300 to learn more, and we’ll provide the help that makes the most sense.