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Chronic Pain

Chronic Pain Can Be a Cause of Depression

Chronic pain is a term that describes pain that lasts longer than three months. Sometimes, it also refers to pain that persists beyond the typical time for an illness or injury to heal. Chronic pain isn’t just a physical condition. It’s also an emotional one that has a huge influence on a person’s thoughts and mood. There is a close link between chronic pain and depression, in which chronic pain can cause depression and vice versa. According to recent studies, about 30-50% of people with chronic pain struggle with depression or anxiety. Chronic pain usually aggravates the symptoms of depression, then the subsequent depression makes the pain worse, resulting in a vicious cycle.

What is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is a common condition that millions of people suffer from. Chronic pain refers to pain symptoms that last longer than three months without improvement or pain that comes and goes repeatedly. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 50 million adults in the U.S. are suffering from chronic pain.

There are many causes of chronic pain, including various health conditions, diseases, and injuries that damage the body. The degree of pain varies from mild to debilitating. Chronic pain can deteriorate your physical and mental health. It is in your best interest to have an evaluation by a skilled physician to diagnose the underlying cause and work with you to determine the appropriate treatment measures.

Why is There a Link Between Chronic Pain and Depression?

Depression and chronic pain have some of the same neurotransmitters, brain chemicals that are messengers traveling across the nerves. They also have a few of the same nerve pathways in the brain and spinal cord.

The relationship between chronic pain and depression is complicated, as knowing the trigger that started the vicious circle is usually difficult. Depression can leave you struggling with many things, like your sleep, social life, performance at work, and ability to partake in your favorite hobbies. It can also increase your level of pain and limit your ability to cope with it.

Depression usually affects the overall health of people with chronic pain, yet they may not point out that they are experiencing any depression symptoms. In fact, half of all depressed people visiting their doctor only complain of physical symptoms, not depression.

In a comparison between people with both chronic pain and depression and those with only chronic pain, those with both conditions have reported more intense pain, less control of their lives, and have more unhealthy coping strategies.

Treatment Options

Following a professionally designed treatment plan is a good idea to keep your pain and depression under control. Treatment options for both your pain and depression might include:

  • Talk Therapy. Also called psychotherapy, talk therapy is a common treatment for clinical depression. It can help an individual change their patterns of thinking, learn coping skills for symptoms, and help prevent future depressive symptoms.
  • Stress Management. Stress has a big effect on both chronic pain and depression, so learning how to manage it makes a big difference. Methods that have been shown to help include mindfulness, meditations, deep breathing, movement therapies, such as yoga and tai chi, hypnotherapy, and guided imagery.
  • Standard analgesics and antidepressant medications may be prescribed to help relieve your symptoms. Opioids may be prescribed if you are experiencing severe pain. Antidepressants may also be prescribed for depression.

If you are suffering from chronic pain and depression, it isn’t the time to hesitate on informing your doctor about the emotional and mental symptoms you’re experiencing. You should get help before your symptoms exacerbate. Receiving the right treatment can help you enjoy your life again.

Chronic Pain Management in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

If you have chronic pain, you don’t have to deal with it on your own. If you are experiencing chronic pain, seeking medical advice is essential to relieving symptoms. At Advanced Medical, we can help you manage your pain and treat the underlying cause.

To schedule an appointment, contact us at (561) 434-1935 or submit an online appointment request.

Why You Should See a Family Medicine Doctor for Your Chronic Pain

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that chronic pain afflicts roughly 50 million adults in the United States. If you’re a statistic, one of your best bets to keep chronic pain from wreaking havoc on your mental health and interfering with your overall quality of life is to work with your family medicine doctor.

Read on to learn about the specific measures your family medicine doctor can employ to help you tackle your chronic pain.

Devising a Care Plan for Your Chronic Pain

Chronic pain has various potential causes. It could be caused by arthritis, fibromyalgia (a condition that causes widespread body pain), an untreated musculoskeletal injury, multiple sclerosis, or any other health problem.

Your family doctor can get to the bottom of your chronic pain by reviewing your symptoms, medical history, and current health status as well as ordering the necessary tests (e.g., blood work, diagnostic imaging, etc.).

If your family doctor deems that you need advanced treatment, they will coordinate your care with a specialist, such as a neurologist, pain management specialist, or orthopedic doctor, to determine the most effective intervention for your problem. Depending on the underlying cause, your care team may recommend surgery or ongoing treatment.

Recommending Additional Strategies for Chronic Pain

Your family medicine doctor may recommend any or some of the following strategies to enhance the efficacy of your care plan:

  • Exercise program – Exercise can have a positive impact on both your mood and pain threshold. It is also especially beneficial if your chronic pain is caused by arthritis, as it helps increase your mobility by reducing joint inflammation and stiffness.
  • Relaxation techniques (e.g., breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, etc.) – These have been shown to help with chronic pain by stimulating the production of the body’s natural painkillers (endorphins).
  • Joining support groups- This equips you with emotional support as well as useful information about your specific condition.
  • Smoking cessation program (supervised by your doctor or another healthcare provider)- Studies show that smoking is linked to many health problems that cause chronic pain.
  • Behavior therapy/ professional talk therapy– Your family medicine doctor may recommend either or both of these modalities to help improve your coping strategies.
  • Nutritional recommendations– Your doctor may recommend a diet plan that includes anti-inflammatory foods, which can help with chronic pain.

Treatment for Chronic Pain in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, FL

At Advanced Medical Clinic, our board-certified internist Dr. Ishan Gunawardene and our board-certified family nurse practitioner Shariffa Gunawardene are best known for their commitment to delivering the best possible treatment outcomes for the gamut of conditions—including those that cause chronic pain—affecting people of all ages. We will gladly collaborate with the right specialist to help you live well with or even conquer your pain.

To arrange a consultation with one of our providers, contact us at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment by filling out this secure form.

Common Chronic Pain Conditions

Bodily pain that interferes with your ability to perform tasks, keeps you up at night, and saps you of energy is considered chronic pain. This condition plagues more than 50 million Americans – one in five adults – and it has many different reasons why it can occur.

If you have chronic pain, it is in your best interest to have an evaluation by a skilled physician who can diagnose the underlying cause. The doctor will then work with you to determine appropriate measures of treatment.

Let’s talk about some of the most common reasons behind chronic pain, and where you can go in Wellington for a thorough medical evaluation and treatment that works to reduce or eliminate your pain once and for all.

What Is Chronic Pain?

Chronic pain is constant or intermittent physical discomfort which lasts longer than three months without improvement. Chronic pain is a frequent cause of missed workdays, lost wages, and lost productivity.

It differs in severity and character from person to person, and it can even change on a daily basis. Patients often describe their pain as shooting, stabbing, burning, or throbbing.

Chronic pain conditions include the following:

●      Fibromyalgia

●      Migraine headaches

●      Arthritis

●      Cancer pain (from the disease itself or from its treatment)

●      Back pain

●      Neuropathy

●      Pain due to kidney disease

●      Postoperative pain that continues unabated

Along with the pain itself, you may experience comorbidities (simultaneous health problems) such as:

●      Insomnia

●      Fatigue

●      Unexplained weight loss

●      Poor appetite

●      Depression and anxiety

How Can My Family Doctor Help?

In order to determine what is causing your chronic pain, your doctor will first ask you to describe your pain. Give as much detail as you can regarding its severity, timing (how often it occurs), location(s) on your body, and what, if anything, helps to mitigate it.

The doctor will then perform a complete physical examination, order bloodwork and other lab tests as needed, and possibly do X-rays and other kinds of imaging scans. With a proper diagnosis, your physician can create a care plan to help keep your chronic pain under control.

Your treatment plan may include:

●      Over-the-counter or prescription pain reliever

●      Antidepressant medication

●      Cortisone shots (in-office injection therapy)

●      Physical therapy

●      Heat and cold therapy

●      Chiropractic care (spinal adjustments)

●      Stress management

●      Relaxation techniques

●      Biofeedback

●      Acupuncture 

Trusted Doctor in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington

Here at Advanced Medical Clinic, we will work diligently with you to get you the pain relief you deserve. You may have to try several things before finding a solution that works to quell your chronic pain, but we will indeed find something that works for you. There are many effective treatments out there today.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (561) 434-1935 or by filling out our easy-to-use online request form now. We look forward to helping you enjoy life without pain!

 

The Rising Cost of Insulin in the U.S.: A Looming Crisis?

Insulin is a hormone that is naturally produced by the body in order to metabolize carbohydrates and to regulate blood sugar levels. People with type 1 diabetes, whose pancreas produces little to no insulin, are insulin-dependent – needing shots of insulin to replenish what their body is not manufacturing. Similarly, those who have type 2 diabetes may also need to have insulin shots to regulate their glucose levels.

The men who discovered insulin in 1923 sold the intellectual property rights for just 3 Canadian dollars. Today, the average price of insulin in the United States is $98.70, with some rates going as high as $250 per vial.

Diabetes is big business for pharmaceutical manufacturers. Even as far back as 1941, several companies were indicted on antitrust and price-fixing charges when they were caught inflating the prices of insulin.

Expensive Insulin – Who Is to Blame?

For those of us who have diabetes, these rising costs are becoming more and more painful in the wallet. Diabetics in the United States pay at least eight times the cost of insulin as compared to those who live in other high-income nations.

The insulin market is broken, from the insulin manufacturers and their lobbyists to the wholesalers and retailers to governmental and nongovernmental regulatory bodies. Insulin prices will continue to rise with no real policy-level solutions.

What then can be done to help patients with diabetes afford the cost of insulin?

What Physicians Can Do

Some physicians are proactive in helping their patients to better manage their disease. The local doctors may not be able to singlehandedly change the system, but they can provide low-cost options such as human insulin – which is doable and effective.

Moreover, drug manufacturers offer affordable treatment options to certain healthcare facilities through the 340B program, of which more than 12,000 facilities are participating. As a patient, ask your doctor whether you have access to this or to something similar.

Primary Care Doctor in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

The skilled and experienced healthcare team here at Advanced Medical Clinic specializes in diagnosing and treating patients with endocrine disorders, including diabetes. Dr. Ishan Gunawardene, our internal medicine doctor, aims to help his diabetes patients find insulin that they can afford to control their disease.

His wife, Shariffa Gunawardene, is a board-certified nurse practitioner who can treat patients of all ages. Together, they can serve the medical needs of your whole family. We are highly flexible and take a personalized approach for your family’s optimal health.

If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (561) 434-1935 or by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We have convenient locations in Wellington (off SR7/441, north of Lake Worth Road) and in Royal Palm Beach (near the intersection of Okeechobee Boulevard and Royal Palm Beach Boulevard), and we look forward to being your family’s healthcare partner!

Acute Pain vs. Chronic Pain

Pain is a universally understood symptom of a health problem. Whether it’s due to an injury, a disease, or something else, pain is a way of alerting you that something is amiss in your body.

Determining when to see a doctor for pain symptoms can be a little confusing. For instance, a minor ankle sprain, a bruise, and a migraine all cause temporary pain. So, do they garner a doctor visit? Not necessarily. The trick to knowing when to see a doctor is understanding if your pain is acute or chronic.

In many cases, acute pain can be treated at home. However, chronic pain is a clear sign that your body has an underlying issue that is going unaddressed.

Let’s take a closer look at what it means for pain to be acute or chronic.

Acute Pain

More common that chronic pain, acute pain is usually preceded by an incident. Practically every person on the planet has experienced acute pain at some point or another. Acute pain can come after stubbing your toe, an exercise injury, wearing ill-fitting shoes all evening, a stress-induced headache, or throwing out your back when picking up a heavy object. Acute pain refers to pain that is temporary. This means, the underlying cause of the pain can be addressed quickly, at which time the associated pain symptoms dissipate. Most of the time, acute pain can be treated at home or through a quick visit to a primary care physician.

Chronic Pain

Chronic pain refers to pain symptoms that are felt for longer than a few weeks. If you throw out your back while picking up a heavy object, your pain symptoms should go away within a few days. If this isn’t the case, your pain could be chronic. Another sign of chronic pain is if your pain symptoms return intermittently for more than a few weeks. An example of this is migraine headaches. A migraine headache once in a while is considered acute pain. However, if you experience migraines on a regular basis, such as several times a month, it is considered chronic pain. Another example is foot pain that develops whenever you stand or walk for long periods of time.

Chronic pain is a definite sign that you need treatment. An underlying injury or condition is causing the pain symptoms, and because the cause is going unaddressed, the pain symptoms are returning repeatedly. Monitor how you feel, and seek medical attention if you are feeling unwell for quite some time. In many cases, chronic pain tends to get worse if left untreated. As such, your pain symptoms could increase in severity and frequency if you don’t seek medical care.

Chronic Pain Treatment in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach, Florida

Whether you have acute or chronic pain, seeking the advice of a medical doctor is always beneficial in reducing your symptoms. At Advanced Medical, we can help you manage your pain symptoms and treat the underlying cause.

To schedule an appointment, call (561) 434-1935 or submit an appointment request.

Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes

There are a number of different types of diabetes, but two of the most common are type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The complications of diabetes, regardless of the type, can be serious if the disease is ignored and left untreated.

Many people have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes without any knowledge that they have the disease. The high levels of glucose in the bloodstream can negatively impact circulation, which can thereby impact the nerves and lead to diabetic neuropathy.

Causes of diabetes are still unknown, although we do know how to treat it once it is discovered. Let’s talk about type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and what you can do about each of them.

What Is Type 1 Diabetes?

This type of diabetes is often diagnosed in childhood or early adulthood, so it is also referred to as juvenile diabetes. Patients with type 1 diabetes do not naturally produce insulin, or they produce very little insulin, which is the hormone the pancreas produces to convert sugar (glucose) into energy. Insulin is also needed by the body to store glucose for future use, thereby regulating your blood sugar levels.

Ongoing insulin therapy is imperative to maintaining the good health of someone with type 1 diabetes. With insufficient levels of insulin in your body, you can experience dangerously low energy levels and high blood sugar levels.

This condition requires close monitoring of blood sugar levels and regular insulin shots. In the case of type 1 diabetes, most patients are born with it and cannot prevent or cure it.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Much more common than type 1 diabetes is type 2 diabetes. The causes are usually poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle. Smoking has also been shown to contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes.

Having someone in your immediate family (parent, sibling, child) with type 2 diabetes increases your risk of developing it. This is the type of diabetes that people are often unaware of until the symptoms become more apparent and complications occur; however, almost everyone with type 2 diabetes had prediabetes first, so regular checkups by your doctor will detect it before it becomes an issue.

With type 2 diabetes, either the diabetic’s body does make insulin but there is a problem with the absorption of glucose by the cells (insulin resistance), or the body does not produce enough insulin. Type 2 diabetes is often an adult-onset disease, but more and more children are now being diagnosed with it due to high obesity incidence among children.

Symptoms of Diabetes

Regardless of whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, the symptoms can include:

  • Feeling very thirsty
  • Feeling very hungry
  • Urinating frequently
  • Losing weight for no apparent reason
  • Having blurry vision
  • Feeling extremely tired

Treatment for Type 1 vs. Type 2 Diabetes

Treatment for type 1 diabetes involves regular insulin injections as necessary to maintain normal blood sugar levels. However, treatment for type 2 diabetes typically involves making lifestyle changes, such as exercising and dietary changes. Medication and diabetic foot care is also part of the treatment to avoid limb loss.

Advances in technology and research have greatly extended the average lifespan of patients with diabetes. Today, both of these two types are manageable diseases, and you can live a normal and active life.

Diabetes Management in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

Our board-certified internal medicine doctors here at Advanced Medical specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic medical conditions, such as type 1 and type 2 diabetes. We will help you manage your symptoms and prevent complications so that you can enjoy life.

To schedule a consultation, call Advanced Medical today at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment via our online form now. We look forward to being your healthcare partner!

Types of Chronic Pain

Chronic pain is a common ailment that millions of people suffer from every day. Chronic pain refers to pain symptoms that last longer than a few weeks or pain that comes and goes repeatedly.

There are many causes of chronic, including a variety of health conditions, diseases, and injuries that leave permanent damage to the body. Before you get the right treatment, it’s important to determine the type or root cause of your chronic pain.

The most common types chronic pain are:

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain linked to the musculoskeletal system. The chronic pain associated with fibromyalgia is caused by repeated nerve stimulation to the brain, which increase specific chemicals that signal pain. These neurotransmitters cause the brain’s receptors to build a type of pain-sensitivity that creates a memory of the pain to which the brain overresponds.

In addition to diffused pain, people affected by the condition may experience mood swings and fatigue that is exacerbated by difficulty with sleep. Memory may also be affected as cognitive issues can cloud thinking and the ability to focus.

Women develop fibromyalgia more often than men. There is no cure for the condition, and it can often cause tension headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, and problems with the temporomandibular joint. Since fibromyalgia has no cure, doctors aim to help patients manage the condition’s symptoms, so there is minimal effect on quality of life.

Nerve Damage

Nerve damage is another common cause of chronic pain, and peripheral neuropathy is one of the most common types.  A network of nerves connects the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. When peripheral nerves are affected by injury or disease, peripheral neuropathy can develop. The condition impairs muscle movement and causes pain and numbness in the limbs. Treatment focuses on managing symptoms.

Endometriosis

A common cause of chronic pain in the abdomen is endometriosis, a painful condition that causes excessive bleeding and cramps during a woman’s menstrual period. Endometriosis can also cause discomfort with urination and bowel movements. It is often managed with medications to control symptoms.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that refers to joint cartilage that has been deteriorated, damaged, or torn beyond repair. The cartilage can degenerate due to wear and tear, overuse, or an injury. Stiffness and chronic pain are common symptoms of this condition.  Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, which means symptoms tend to get worse with time. Osteoarthritis is often managed with pain medication, physical therapy, regenerative medicine techniques, and more. If these techniques do not help with pain symptoms, you may need joint surgery for long-term relief.

Back Pain

Back pain stemming from spinal stenosis, bulging discs, fractures, or compression of nerves in the spine can all be chronic in nature. Other conditions that are considered structural deformities, such as scoliosis, may also cause chronic pain. Back pain is often treated with physical therapy, medications to control symptoms, and in some cases, surgery.

Chronic Pain Treatment in Florida

If you are experiencing chronic pain, you don’t have to cope with it alone. Contact the experts at Advanced Medical Clinic today to get a diagnosis and treatment plan in place. To make an appointment, call (561) 434-1935. You can also request an appointment online.

How to Manage Your Chronic Pain

Chronic pain can affect your quality of life and impact your ability to enjoy everyday activities. It can even damage your self-esteem because you never feel like your best self anymore.

With chronic pain, it can have an isolating effect because the symptoms are not seen by others. However, pain sufferers want a solution – and the good news is that there are ways to effectively manage your chronic pain.

Let’s talk about some of the ways in which chronic pain can be stifled:

Medication

Pain medication includes those you can purchase over the counter (off the shelf) and those prescribed by doctors. Examples of over-the-counter pain relievers are acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen. These medications are effective at relieving mild to moderate pain on a short-term basis.

For severe chronic pain, doctors may prescribe pain medication that can only be obtained with a prescription. However, long-term use of these medicines can lead to unwanted side effects, and there is a potential of becoming addicted to prescription pain medications.

Implanted Pain Pumps

Chronic pain that does not respond well to conservative medication may respond to surgical implantation of a pain-relief pump. A pain pump is implanted underneath the skin, where it delivers a controlled dose of pain medication.

With this method, the pain medication is slowly released into the body on a continuous basis. This has been reported to provide immense relief in many chronic pain sufferers.

Spinal Cord Stimulation

A spinal cord stimulator is a device that is implanted underneath your skin in the middle of your back. It alters and interrupts pain signals before they have a chance to reach your brain. The device is the size of a pacemaker, and it delivers electrical pulses to the spinal cord.

Trigger-Point Injections

A local anesthetic is injected into pain trigger points, which are usually within a muscle. Depending on what the doctor decides, the anesthetic may be combined with a steroid.

Not all chronic pain sufferers have trigger points. However, those with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome, for example, usually do have trigger points – so this treatment can be very effective for those whose chronic pain is caused by those conditions.

Acupuncture

Taken from traditional Chinese methods of medical treatment, acupuncture involves the manipulation of different points of the body. Thin needles are used to prompt the body to release endorphins, which can block the pain signals traveling to the brain.

Alternative Therapies

There are also other therapies that can help to reduce your dependence on pain medicine, such as yoga, meditation, and physical therapy.

Pain Treatment in Palm Beach County

While there are many methods for managing your chronic pain, a trusted family doctor or nurse practitioner can provide you with the quality care that you need. Our health professionals can administer a combination of treatment methods if necessary to effectively relieve your pain symptoms.

Dr. Ishan Gunawardene of the Advanced Medical Clinic is a board-certified internist offering advanced and highly individualized treatment methods for chronic pain. His offices are conveniently located in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach.

If you have any questions about Dr. Gunawardene’s internal medicine services, please call our friendly team at (561) 434-1935, fill out our easy-to-use appointment request form online, or simply walk into our clinic to receive immediate medical attention. We look forward to seeing you here.

Back Issues for Equestrians

Low back pain is common among horseback riders. These are mostly the aches and pains of strained muscles from excessive riding or improper posture while on the horse.

Controlling and riding a large animal like a horse requires the same strength and effort as is required for many other sports. In a nutshell, horseback riding requires body control similar to that used by athletes when skiing, or as can be seen in the martial arts, and even dancing.

To avoid back problems, you need to learn how to balance your body correctly while riding your horse.

Here is the list of the riding habits that can lead to back pain:

1. Slouched Shoulders. Slouched shoulders = lousy posture, which in turn hurts your spine with every step your horse takes. A horse’s gait is not that far off from humans, but when your shoulders are rounded it makes it difficult to control the horse and maintain your balance. This can easily lead to back pain and sore muscles that can last for days.

2. Leaning Forward During Turns. A good rider knows how to keep their posture centered even as they take turns and swerve their horses in different directions. Take tight turns and keep your weight focused, allowing it to fall inward as you make your turn. This will avoid a possible muscle strain in the process

3. Hollow Back. Another bad habit horseback riders have is sitting up too straight or too stiffly, then overcompensating by hollowing out the lower back. This affects the space you take on top of the horse, which can influence your balance and how well you can control the horse. The position puts undue strain on your lower back and can cause you to fall off your horse if not corrected.

4. Pinching Your Knees Together. For new riders, this is especially common. The amateur equestrian might resort to pinching the knees together in an effort to stay on the horse. However, this action affects how you are positioned atop the saddle and makes it more difficult to balance, apply leg aids, and to properly post the trot (when you rise out of the saddle, which can smooth the ride when your horse is trotting).

Preventing Low Back Pain

Experts suggest using proper posture while horseback riding to help eliminate low back pain associated with the activity. You should also wear the appropriate equipment and protective gear while you ride. This can help constrain and protect your back muscles, as well as protect against other injuries. In addition, riding in moderation can help lessen the likelihood of lower back pain related to your horseback riding.

Well-Equipped Doctors in Wellington

If you have lower back pain from prolonged horseback riding, visit Advanced Medical Clinic to get it treated. Request an appointment now or call us at (561) 434-1935 for more details and to schedule a checkup with one of our licensed physicians today.

Treating COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an incurable but treatable condition that affects over 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with the disease. Many others suffer from it unknowingly.

The acronym COPD is an umbrella term that covers any disease affecting airway obstructions, especially emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Let’s take a look at the causes, symptoms, and ultimate treatments of the various disorders included in COPD.

Causes and Symptoms of COPD

The primary cause for COPD in developed nations like the United States is cigarette smoking. In underdeveloped nations, it tends to occur when people are overexposed to burning fuel for cooking or to heating elements in poorly ventilated homes and buildings.

The main types of COPD in the U.S. are chronic bronchitis and emphysema:

Chronic Bronchitis

This condition occurs when there is inflammation of the bronchial tubes, causing the bronchial tubes to narrow and produce excessive mucus. The narrowing and extra mucus together block airflow to and from the lungs, and sufferers develop a chronic cough while trying to breathe.

Emphysema

This is a condition whereby the smallest air passageways in the lungs are destroyed, causing shortness of breath. Emphysema is a result of exposure to damaging substances from smoking, irritating gases, or other particulate matter that gets trapped in the lungs and causes damage. Smaller airways can collapse when exhaling, further impairing breathing.

Treatment for COPD

Any of the COPD health conditions are manageable. They do require certain changes in lifestyle. The best way to manage your COPD symptoms is to stop smoking and to avoid secondhand smoke whenever possible.

Medical treatments for COPD include a bronchodilator, which comes in an inhaler. This medication can help relax the muscles of the airway, relieving coughing and making it easier to breathe.

Inhalant forms of steroids can also help with the symptoms of COPD, although they do have certain unpleasant side effects. You and your doctor can discuss whether the benefits outweigh the effects of COPD.

Oxygen therapy can also help considerably. There are modern ways of carrying around a portable oxygen tank that make it less obvious than before. Portable oxygen has indeed proven to extend the lifespan and improve the quality of life of a person with COPD.

Diagnosis of COPD

To get a diagnosis, your doctor will first review your family history. Up to 30% of people with COPD were never smokers, so the physician will be checking for a genetic predisposition to lung issues. The doctor will also discuss any potential exposure to lung irritants like cigarettes, or exposure to harmful fumes in the workplace.

They will also perform a series of diagnostic tests, such as the following:

  • Spirometry is a machine with a tube that measures how much air you can inhale and how quickly (and how much) air you can exhale.
  • A chest X-ray can show the presence of emphysema and rule out other potential problems.
  • A CT scan can detect emphysema and determine whether surgery could be beneficial, while it also screens for lung cancer.
  • An arterial-blood gas analysis will test how well the lungs bring oxygen to the blood and filter out carbon dioxide.

Family Doctors in Palm Beach County

COPD is a serious illness that requires management and medical supervision in order to continue enjoying life. If you are in the Wellington or Royal Palm Beach area, contact our team to schedule an appointment at Advanced Medical Clinic.

 

Call us today at (561) 434-1935 or request an appointment online now, and let us help you get back to better breathing!