What is COPD? Here at CARD, a lot of people come to us with a diagnosis of COPD, but what does that mean? COPD is an acronym for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Obstructive is the key word here. Obstructive lung conditions are those which make it difficult to blow the air in your lungs back out, which in turn makes it somewhat harder to get fresh air in as the lungs only contain so much space. The term chronic refers to illnesses that are present long-term after diagnosis and, as with many such conditions, have a tendency to worsen over time. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common diseases that fall under the COPD umbrella. Emphysema occurs when the alveoli of the lung, or air sacs where oxygen transfer takes place, become overinflated and damaged, sometimes rupturing to form large sacs that can't exchange oxygen. Chronic bronchitis occurs when the airways leading to the alveoli become persistently inflamed. These inflamed airways produce more mucous and the walls may gradually thicken, impeding airflow. Chronic bronchitis, although it sounds similar, must be differentiated from acute bronchitis. Usually associated with an infection that is often viral but can be bacterial, acute bronchitis is a short, predominantly self-limited illness. A very large percentage of people with COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The most common symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath, although some people also feel significant fatigue from lack of oxygen. People with chronic bronchitis tend to have a mucous-producing cough that may wax and wane but by definition is present for at least three consecutive months and recurs repeatedly over at least two years. Individuals with chronic bronchitis often note wheezing and shortness of breath as well. By far, the most common cause of COPD is smoking. The more you smoke, the more likely you are to develop COPD and the more likely it is to progressively worsen. It can also be caused by severe air pollution, chronic dust exposure, or certain toxic chemicals. There is also an uncommon form of emphysema that is genetic and tends to run in families, even in those who have not smoked. It is called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and can be identified by a simple genetic test. Spirometry or a more comprehensive pulmonary function test (PFT) can be used to help make the diagnosis of COPD and track the disease's progress over time. These tests involve blowing air into a tube while measurements are made. Spirometry looks at how much air you can breathe in and how much you breathe out. PFT includes spirometry and may include other helpful measures. particularly one that determines how well your lungs extract oxygen from the air in the alveoli and transfer it to the bloodstream so it can reach your heart, brain, and other organs. Those with COPD score low in breathing the air back out because of the air trapping noted above. It is also common to see lower- than-normal levels of oxygen transfer to the blood, particularly in those with emphysema. Non-malignant asbestos-related lung diseases can involve thickening and calcification of the pleural, the thin sac surrounding the lungs, or it can involve scarring of the lung tissue itself. Pleural thickening causes stiffening that can impede one's ability to take a deep breath. This kind of lung disease is known as restrictive rather than obstructive. Asbestosis, or scarring within the lung itself caused by asbestos, typically impairs the transfer of oxygen from the alveoli to the bloodstream. Asbestos-related lung diseases, as such, are not considered to be COPD, however, we often find that these processes all co-exist. When both are present, the effect is additive and results in a much more complicated and serious condition. If you think you may have been exposed to asbestos within Lincoln County, Montana, please call CARD at (406) 293-9274 to see if you qualify for our free screening. We do spirometry as part of that screening process and offer annual PFT to those who have already been diagnosed. We also offer free Lung Cancer Screening (LCS) to those individuals diagnosed with asbestos related disease who also meet certain age and smoking criteria. Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application. CA CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH Testing available locally or from a distance. Screening provided through CDC grant # 5NU61TS000295 Ongoing care not covered. What is COPD ? Here at CARD , a lot of people come to us with a diagnosis of COPD , but what does that mean ? COPD is an acronym for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease . Obstructive is the key word here . Obstructive lung conditions are those which make it difficult to blow the air in your lungs back out , which in turn makes it somewhat harder to get fresh air in as the lungs only contain so much space . The term chronic refers to illnesses that are present long - term after diagnosis and , as with many such conditions , have a tendency to worsen over time . Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common diseases that fall under the COPD umbrella . Emphysema occurs when the alveoli of the lung , or air sacs where oxygen transfer takes place , become overinflated and damaged , sometimes rupturing to form large sacs that can't exchange oxygen . Chronic bronchitis occurs when the airways leading to the alveoli become persistently inflamed . These inflamed airways produce more mucous and the walls may gradually thicken , impeding airflow . Chronic bronchitis , although it sounds similar , must be differentiated from acute bronchitis . Usually associated with an infection that is often viral but can be bacterial , acute bronchitis is a short , predominantly self - limited illness . A very large percentage of people with COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis . The most common symptom of emphysema is shortness of breath , although some people also feel significant fatigue from lack of oxygen . People with chronic bronchitis tend to have a mucous - producing cough that may wax and wane but by definition is present for at least three consecutive months and recurs repeatedly over at least two years . Individuals with chronic bronchitis often note wheezing and shortness of breath as well . By far , the most common cause of COPD is smoking . The more you smoke , the more likely you are to develop COPD and the more likely it is to progressively worsen . It can also be caused by severe air pollution , chronic dust exposure , or certain toxic chemicals . There is also an uncommon form of emphysema that is genetic and tends to run in families , even in those who have not smoked . It is called alpha - 1 antitrypsin deficiency and can be identified by a simple genetic test . Spirometry or a more comprehensive pulmonary function test ( PFT ) can be used to help make the diagnosis of COPD and track the disease's progress over time . These tests involve blowing air into a tube while measurements are made . Spirometry looks at how much air you can breathe in and how much you breathe out . PFT includes spirometry and may include other helpful measures . particularly one that determines how well your lungs extract oxygen from the air in the alveoli and transfer it to the bloodstream so it can reach your heart , brain , and other organs . Those with COPD score low in breathing the air back out because of the air trapping noted above . It is also common to see lower than - normal levels of oxygen transfer to the blood , particularly in those with emphysema . Non - malignant asbestos - related lung diseases can involve thickening and calcification of the pleural , the thin sac surrounding the lungs , or it can involve scarring of the lung tissue itself . Pleural thickening causes stiffening that can impede one's ability to take a deep breath . This kind of lung disease is known as restrictive rather than obstructive . Asbestosis , or scarring within the lung itself caused by asbestos , typically impairs the transfer of oxygen from the alveoli to the bloodstream . Asbestos - related lung diseases , as such , are not considered to be COPD , however , we often find that these processes all co - exist . When both are present , the effect is additive and results in a much more complicated and serious condition . If you think you may have been exposed to asbestos within Lincoln County , Montana , please call CARD at ( 406 ) 293-9274 to see if you qualify for our free screening . We do spirometry as part of that screening process and offer annual PFT to those who have already been diagnosed . We also offer free Lung Cancer Screening ( LCS ) to those individuals diagnosed with asbestos related disease who also meet certain age and smoking criteria . Call 293-9274 or stop by 214 E. 3rd St to pick up a screening application . CA CARD Center for Asbestos Related Disease SCREENING // HEALTHCARE // EDUCATION // RESEARCH // OUTREACH Testing available locally or from a distance . Screening provided through CDC grant # 5NU61TS000295 Ongoing care not covered .