Just in case you missed it.

[martin1945]

It is important to quit smoking to avoid the risk of COPD

By Bin Yang, M.D., M.S., M.P.H.

Smoking is the leading cause of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). In the United States, COPD is one of the most common lung diseases, the fourth leading cause of death, and among the top three leading causes of disability, second only to disability from heart disease.

There are two main forms of COPD: 1) chronic bronchitis with long-term productive cough, and 2) emphysema with lung destruction over time. Most people with COPD have a combination of both conditions.

The more a person smokes, the more likely that person will develop COPD. Studies show that smokers are about six times more likely to develop COPD than nonsmokers. All heavy smokers experience other negative health effects of smoking, such as cancer, heart attacks and premature death. Scientists say there are more than 4,000 compounds in cigarette smoke.A sizeable number of them are toxic and carcinogenic.

Exposure to secondhand smoke is known to damage the lungs. Studies suggest that people exposed to high amounts of secondhand smoke are at higher risk for COPD.Air pollution with dust or chemical fumes is found to contribute to COPD.

COPD is a chronic progressive disorder marked by persistent airway obstruction. Because the symptoms of COPD develop slowly, some people may not know that they are sick.

COPD tends to develop 20 to 30 years after a person starts smoking, so it’s frequently diagnosed in middle age.The first symptom, which often appears in the mid- 40s, is a mild cough with clear sputum and feeling of having to clear your throat usually when you get out of bed first thing in the morning due to excess mucus in your lungs. Subsequently, COPD patients develop symptoms of fatigue, shortness of breath especially during physical activities, chest tightness, wheezing, recurrent respiratory infections, barrel-shaped chest from air remaining trapped in the overinflated lungs, and chronic productive cough with phlegm (sputum).

After a diagnosis of COPD, it’s important to stop smoking, protect yourself from lung irritants at work, get annual flu vaccines, and talk to your doctor about the pneumococcal vaccine to prevent pneumonia.

What are the health benefits of smoking cessation? Here’s the information about how long you will begin to see the benefits after you quit smoking:

After eight hours: the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops and the oxygen level rises to normal.

After 24 hours: your chance of a heart attack decreases.

After 48 hours: your ability to taste and smell improves. After 72 hours: the bronchial tubes relax and breathing is easier for you. After two weeks to three months: your circulation improves, and your lung capacity increases up to 30 percent.

After 1 one to nine months: cilia (tiny hairs) that sweep debris from your lungs regrow to increase your lungs’ ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection; coughing, sinus congestion and shortness of breath also decrease.

After one year: your excess risk of coronary disease is half that of a person who smokes.

After two years: your heart attack risk drops to near normal.

After five years: lung cancer death rate decreases by almost half, your risk of having a stroke reduces, and your risk of developing mouth, larynx, throat, esophageal, bladder or other cancers is cut in half that of a smoker.

After 10 years: your risk of dying from lung cancer drops to almost the same rate as that of a lifelong nonsmoker.

After 15 years: your risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a person who has never smoked.

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Still waiting for the lung capacity to improve! Otherwise agree with all else xx

[peterbarlow01]

Just to clear this up . I have copd only smoked once in my life and that lasted for one drag on the thing . So you cant say that was the cause of it with me, but working in Refractory may have.

[peege in reply to peterbarlow01]

Similar here Peter. I smoked maybe up to 10 A WEEK as a student. Not addicted at all. From birth although there was cig and pipe smoke in my home. Not to mention filthy pollution in London.

To be fair, the above post is saying smoking is only the leading cause of copd.

Great article for passing on to our friends and families Martin, thank you..... I'll be passing it on to two of my four kids who smoke. Will they take notice? One has asthma and one has PCOS, she's pre-menopausal at 30. Both are very intelligent .......... I'll let you know! I shall do as Tony and put on FB.

[Parvati in reply to peterbarlow01]

Hi Peter - I don't believe anyone has COPD just because they smoked. If it was as simple as smoking causes COPD then all smokers would have COPD - and the majority of smokers don't. It is a large contributory factor though, so for example had I not smoked then I believe my COPD would not be as advanced as it is. Unfortunately the 'smoking excuse' meant researchers never really bothered to look for the true causes and so there has been little progress in understanding the disease - this is why there has been little progress in the treatment/ cure area compared to other conditions like HIV and Cancer. Until the actual underlying causes and development are clearly understood then any meds are merely 'tinkering at the edges' . The 'smoking excuse' is also why so little funding is available as no one wants to put money into a disease that we apparently 'deserve'. Even though this attitude is only just starting to change there is already a little progress as scientists are finding the faulty or missing elements of genetic sequences etc though they think there is not one clear cut culprit but numerous possible contributors - this is to be expected really as there are numerous permutations of 'types' of COPD - another aspect that muddies the water as we are all lumped under the one title of 'COPD'. It is also why a particular med works well for one person but does little for the next - in reality we may have very different diseases though they are both classed as 'COPD'.

[Parvati]

Hi Martin - I gave up smoking when my COPD diagnosis was confirmed with a post- ventolin fev1 of 29%. I was prescribed Champix which was a great help - but I also found that same list of health benefits a huge help too - I printed it out and stuck it on the fridge door. It strengthened my resolve particulary in the first week or two. My reason for putting it on the fridge door was because for me the time I was most likely to fail was when having a cup of tea or coffee - so this way I got a reminder of the benefits I had achieved so far and would continue to achieve each time I got the milk out for my cuppa. It really helped. Of course with COPD we don't get as much improvement when it comes to the improved breathing or regrowth of cillia - but then we do live an estimated 2 to 3 times longer than we would have if we hadn't given up. I must add that I haven't had a sinus infection for yeara now which I firmly believe is because of quitting, neither do I have any coughing or mucus unless I get an actual chest infection. Good to be reminded of the old list

I nearly forgot - my fev1 improved over the first year too - though what percentage of that was down to smoking cessation I couldn't accuratelt tell as I also had the addition of Symbicort and Spiriva and exercise - but on recent 'inhaler free' self tests - where I have stopped all inhalers for a week or two - the lowest my fev1 has dropped to is 36%. I would add that I am glad that e cigs were not around then as I may have taken that option had they been. While they are currently seen as a better alternative to smoking tobacco I believe that in someone with COPD the inflammatory processes continue as one is still inhaling substances directly into the lung - 'insulting' the lung tissue as they would put it.

[O2Trees in reply to Parvati]

Hi parvati, great post. And brilliant your fev1 has improved so much from quitting cigs but i imagine it must also be due to all the exercise you do.

I was wondering what a fev1 "self test" is. Do you have your own spirometer? I wouldn't be able to give up inhalers as my asthma is significant and pre-existed the copd. But i would love to test my fev1 myself now and again just for reassurance.

You take care

[Parvati in reply to O2Trees]

Hi '02' - yes I bought a good handheld spirometer about 5 years ago and it has served me well - it doesn't come cheap but I expect it to last a long time yet - so over time it doesn't seem so expensive. You input your age/height/sex/ethnicity and it measures fev1, fvc, just like the doc's. I do a 'baseline' spiro for myself once or twice a year - I was frustrated only knowing my post med fev 1 as I wanted to know whether it was purely down to the drugs or whether it had improved at 'baseline'. I have found it to be very accurate - if I test myself and take the 'best of three' blows before I go for my six month check up I find it is either the same as the nurse gets or within a % or so. It also made me understand my own daily pattern - my best readings are generally late morning to late afternoon - evenings and early mornings tend to be a % or so lower. Now I always ask for my appointments to be between 11am and 3pm as I get a good result - I also know that that is my best time if I am exerting myself- eg shopping or trekking the cliff paths etc.

Here's a link to the one I have - it is the site i bought it from - if you scroll right down the page there is a short video showing exactly how to use it -

medisave.co.uk/vitalograph-...

(I admit to buying anti bacterial houseld wipes etc from here to for regular use in

my 'war on exacerbations' may be a tad OTT but I rarely have an exacerbation these days).

May do a 'self test' in the early Autumn again before winter sets in - I tend to do one in spring and Autumn. I have lately been considering dropping Symbicort and seeing how I get on with just an anti cholingeric - though not made my mind up just yet ... Ciao for now, take care, Van xx

[O2Trees in reply to Parvati]

Thanks so much Van - I've always wanted a spirometer. I'll go on the site in a minute and see, curious how much they cost. Many thanks for the link.

Im wondering whether to add Spiriva to the Symbicort i take each day. Going to GP to discuss this week as walking outside is so much more difficult at present. Trouble was when i took Spiriva before i had such a dry mouth i literally couldn't speak. When i stopped it i really didn't experience much difference but now - well, we'll see. I'll let you know. If you do drop there Symbicort Im sure you know to do so very gradually. I'd be interested to know how you get on.

Suddenly its like autumn - i always get more asthma problems with tree spores and mould at this time. But August? that's just too early. Also feels like there's been lots more pollen than usual this year. And back to school time always has infection threats. Im pretty heavy duty on the infection control too, but can't be good enough at it as I've had two nasty ones this year.

Hope its nice down there in Cornwall today. Im off to explore spirometers.

Enjoy and speak soon x

[Parvati in reply to O2Trees]

Grey with drizzle here today I am afraid I have heard of some Asthma/ COPD 'types' using anti cholingerics - there are more to chose from now. I can't remember off the top of my head but have a vague feeling that there are new inhalers on the Asthma scene recently as well as recent new 'varieties' for COPD. It's always worth a chat with the nurse/ gp to see if there is anything new you can try. Hope your SOB improves soon '02'. (I love calling you '02' BTW - it's like you are a secret agent or something - yes I know- I am daft ) Take care, Van x

[O2Trees in reply to Parvati]

Thanks Van. We need daft people in the world to cheer us up

After meeting you with your fab pink decorations to your oxygen, i can only think of you now as "PinkVanWoman"

My GP did mention new drugs and she's well informed. She goes to all the Respiratory Network education days we have in our area. So hopefully - well, as i said before, we'll see.

xx O2

[peege in reply to O2Trees]

Hello you two nice to see you having a chat. Can I join in?

I know I'm not in the same copd boat but thought I'd mention, re reducing inhaler.

With assistance from respiratory nurse I reduced my winter/spring dose of Seretide from 2 x 500 daily to 2 x 125 daily. Finally got down to the lowest dose but barely lasted 2 weeks. I feel I'm on the edge all the time. On the edge of being unwell. Saturday night I had an asthma attack out of the blue so I've upped it to 250.

I've had a crap couple of weeks, perhaps this is why. Sats were down to 91 at night.

I used to be on Symbicort btw.

Now I'm going to have a look at Van's link. Loads of love you intrepid pair

[O2Trees in reply to peege]

Mornin' peeg - good to hear from you. Im sorry you're feeling unwell and having asthma attack. Im bit ignorant about Seretide - is it similar to Symbicort? If so maybe you reduced too quickly? Hope you feel better with the increase to 250. Ive always struggled with not wanting to take the meds which for me has been self-defeating as I've made myself ill many times. I certainly need something more now as breathlessness when walking is dreadful, though in the house i can walk up and down stairs several times quite easily. Im wondering if there are a lot more allergens outdoors this year as i think its my asthma kicking in rather than the copd.

If we all get spirometers we can be the Spiro Sisters

I may be in london end of week - will pm you re possibility of meeting up if you're free xxxx

[Parvati in reply to peege]

Sorry to hear about your Asthma attack Peeg - hope you are breathing well today! I wouldn't consider stopping Symbicort if I had an asthmatic element to my COPD. Both are steroid and beta agonists combined - the steroid component works well on the type of airway inflammaton that Asthma has - but less well on COPD inflammation. Both inhalers were initially for Asthma but then found to help for COPDers - but the degree of benefit varies from person to person. I am thinking of trying a long acting beta agonist without a steroid component for a few months - mainly because if I don't get much response from a steroid element I would be better off without it in the long term - I had the slightest of bumps to my arm last week as I was getting something out of the microwave - and the skin just broke and 'concertina'd' back like crepe paper - I can't say for sure but I think long term steroids contribute to things like that - it's is taking forever to heal over too (I hasten to add it is only tiny - size of a 5p - but it shows just how thin and fragile my skin is getting).

Hope you and 02 have a lovely time if you get to meet up at the weekend - stay well, Van xx

[O2Trees in reply to Parvati]

Hey Van, i had weird skin thing happen too - i kept getting small very intense coloured bruises (less than centimetre on my forearms from my dogs claws when we were playing. The skin is always concertina like, so loose and thin The bruises would break open and take ages to heal. Steroid-caused I'm sure though it's not happening now though which is odd. Arms looked like a dart board.

Is the drug you're thinking of trying the new olodaterol? I was just checking it out on wikipedia. It's been listed on various sites lately.

Make sure you keep that wound covered - I'm sure you would anyway Jeez, we don't need yet more stuff to deal with!

Take good care, xxx O2

[mike_j_t in reply to O2Trees]

Hi,

read your post and you may wish to have a look at the following regards getting a spirometer.

aliexpress.com/store/produc...

Note that I haven't purchased anything from this but am considering doing so. I've just been diagnosed with COPD and this is my first post.

[O2Trees in reply to mike_j_t]

Sorry about the diagnosis Mike - sounds like you're taking control of it though. Thanks for the link which i'll check out after breakfast

Welcome to the forum

[O2Trees in reply to Parvati]

Is your spirometer the Vitalograph copd6 one on this page Van? I also looked on Intermedical and could only find ones there for about £300.

xxx

[Parvati in reply to O2Trees]

Yes - the V6 - did you check out the video of it at bottom of page? It has served me well.

[dall05]

I have just posted this to my 18 year old son on facebook who is more likely to read this than listen to my nagging. (yes he is smoking and a lot of his friends do to)

He and his friends are at the age when they think they are indestructible and it will never happen to them.

This is one of the examples of when the easy link to facebook is proving to be very useful as many of the youth of today live their lives on it and its easier to communicate with them via computer than the old fashioned way of talking. Ha Ha.

Thanks Martin!

Tony.

[Colours23]

Very good ,very true post for people that have smoked ,there is other treatment for those who haven't smoked. But still have copd, lots of reasons it is caused by.

[onamission]

I was diagnose with COPD 10 years ago I think it was only mild could still do lots, I gave up smoking straight away 10 years on I'm stage 4 and finding life really difficult so I'm not sure what to make of this post I will say I have many symptoms of Lupus so I don't think smoking is 100% to blame.

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Hi Parvati I do largely agree with your comments except to say that some people are more susceptible to lung damage than others which is probably why most smokers don't get COPD. But smokers can get other smoking related diseases such as lung cancer. I know which I would rather have. I agree that pollution has it's effects as well. If you look at lung diseases in the third world COPD is caused by very close proximity to smoke from cooking fires even in those who don't smoke. Most people don't get it but some do which backs up what I what I have said. x

[Hidden]

I think some people are genetically more susceptible to lung disease than others which would explain why most smokers don't get COPD. In that case other pollutants ie traffic are also to blame.

There is quite a high incidence of COPD in the 3rd world caused by close proximity to open cooking fires and not smoking itself but most natives don't get it. This backs up what I have said.

It's not right that COPD receives less funds and publicity because of the 'blame' factor. There are many other lifestyle illnesses which can be blamed on the individual such as obesity but this receives a great deal of publicity. I don't play the blame game as it is a dangerous area to get in to. We should get the same consideration as others. x

[jenss]

Hi Peeg what is skin concertina please? Thanksxxx

[peege in reply to jenss]

It's not a medical term jenss. Just a description of what it looks like when you catch a bit of skin & it shrinks back.

[jenss in reply to peege]

thanks I don't think I have had that (yet)....xx