The condition may be caused by a variety of scenarios, but smoking is the biggest cause of the disease. Other causes include breathing second hand smoke, pollution in the air and being exposed to toxins that may be found in certain work places.
Symptoms of COPD vary among those that have been diagnosed with it. One symptom is shortness of breath. This will most normally get worse as the disease progresses. Lung infections are also quite common for those that have COPD, along with fatigue.
Although there is no cure for the disease, there are treatment plans available that help ease shortness of breath and other symptoms. If smoking is the cause of the disease, the person should try to stop as soon as possible so the disease doesn’t worsen. Many types of prescription medications are used to treat the condition, including steroids to help take down inflammation. Oxygen may also be prescribed for home use. Steroids can be used by way of an in inhaler and are commonly prescribed as a treatment method for COPD. The main objective of the use of steroids is to take down the inflammation in the lungs caused by the disease.
