Introduction
Unlike many acute diseases, COPD does not start suddenly but develops slowly over a longer period of time. The cause of the disease is permanent damage to the lungs and the resulting narrowing of the airways (bronchi). The first early symptom is usually a persistent cough.
However, this is often misinterpreted or ignored as a “smoker’s cough” or slight infection of the respiratory tract. As the cough progresses, it increases and, especially in the morning hours, mucous secretions are coughed up from the lungs. The shortness of breath (dyspnoea), which is initially perceived only during heavy exertion, increases drastically in the course of time, so that in advanced stages of COPD, everyday activities can already cause difficulties.
It is therefore often only recognized that it is not an acute illness but a chronically progressive disease when the symptoms are very pronounced and have been present for some time. Often the disease is therefore only diagnosed at an advanced age. The aim of therapy is to stop or at least slow down the progress of the disease. Stages of COPD
When do you need oxygen?
As the disease progresses, the gas exchange in the lungs deteriorates due to the inflammation of the small airways. This leads to so-called diffusion disorders. Diffusion is the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen between the alveoli and the small blood vessels in the lung (capillaries).
This in turn leads to a reduction in the oxygen content of the blood, which also reduces the oxygen supply to the organs. Therefore, depending on the extent of the reduction in the oxygen pressure in the blood, additional oxygen must be supplied. Depending on the state of health and oxygen pressure, this is necessary either only during stress or possibly also at rest. As the duration of the illness increases, the respiratory muscles are also impaired and weakened, so that the respiratory performance is reduced. In this case, treatment with a ventilator via a breathing mask that is put on for hours can provide relief.
