COPD, emphysema and bronchitis - Association pulmonaire du Québec
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COPD, emphysema and bronchitis

In Quebec, 594,000 people are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This number is an estimate since the disease is under-diagnosed. Indeed, it is believed that 60% to 85% of people with this condition live with it without knowing it. Currently, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in Canada and the leading cause of hospitalization in Quebec. The mortality rate for COPD is highest in Quebec and the Atlantic Provinces.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are part of COPD

COPD includes two respiratory problems that are generally diagnosed in individuals over the age of 40: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These two diseases progress slowly and gradually cause an obstruction in the airways that reduces the ability to breathe normally. People with COPD may suffer from emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or both. 

Emphysema

Emphysema is a degenerative, insidious, slow-progressing disease that develops when the lung tissue destroys itself and loses its elasticity. Expiration then becomes more difficult and laborious. Under normal conditions, the alveoli are like small elastic bags that look like a bunch of grapes that inflate like a small balloon on inspiration and deflate on expiration.

Emphysema causes the alveoli to dilate and destroys the alveolar wall. Air remains trapped inside the damaged alveoli and the exchange between oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2) is diminished, thereby also reducing the amount of O2 available to the body. In other words, the balloons are not as effective as originally and do not empty as quickly as before. This restricted breathing produces a persistent feeling of shortness of breath and fatigue that intensifies over time. Unfortunately, emphysema is often diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Emphysème

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis is a permanent inflammation of the bronchi often accompanied by excess secretion of mucus, making the passage of air to the lungs difficult. It is recognized when cough and expectorations (sputum) persist for several months and usually last a little longer each time. Obstruction of the bronchi and excessive secretions will cause more and more pronounced shortness of breath over time because the lungs can no longer fully expel air on expiration.

Your doctor may suspect chronic bronchitis if you have a regular sputum-producing cough that persists for more than three consecutive months in at least two consecutive years. Generally speaking, people with chronic bronchitis cough, produce phlegm and experience shortness of breath when exercising or carrying out activities of daily living.

Bronchite chronique

Causes

In the vast majority of cases, the development of COPD is linked to smoking, which is the cause in 90% of cases.  Other main causes include:

  • Air pollution (dust and chemical products).
  • Second-hand smoke.
  • Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency: This is a rare genetic disorder that accelerates the onset of pulmonary emphysema and very severe bronchial obstruction.
  • Recurrent pulmonary infections in childhood.

Signs and symptoms

People with COPD generally have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath ranging from being breathless on exertion or too winded to get dressed.
  • Chronic cough (especially in chronic bronchitis).
  • Production of secretions (especially in chronic bronchitis).
  • More frequent respiratory infections (flu, pneumonia) and slower recovery time.
  • Fatigue.
  • Unexplained weight loss.
  • Reduced ability to perform daily activities.

Some other factors can also exacerbate the symptoms of COPD. The most common ones are:

  • Respiratory infections (cold, flu, bronchitis, pneumonia)

  • Indoor air pollutants (cigarette smoke, household cleaning products, strong odours, dust)

  • Outdoor air pollutants (exhaust emissions, industrial fumes, smog)

  • Emotions (anger, anxiety, stress)

  • Temperature changes (extreme heat or cold)

Diagnostic

To diagnose COPD, your doctor will start by asking about your health history and lifestyle habits, for example:

  • Do you smoke or have you ever smoked?
  • Do you often have shortness of breath?
  • What makes your shortness of breath worse?
  • Do you cough? For how long? 
  • Do you cough up secretions (mucus)?
  • Do members of your family have any respiratory conditions?

Then, exams can be performed to make a diagnosis:

  • Spirometry

  • Lung X-ray

  • Full lung function test or basic work-up

Treatments

There is no cure for COPD. However, available treatments are intended to slow down disease progression, prevent complications, reduce symptoms, and improve quality of life.

Smoking cessation

Smoking cessation is essential in order to slow down the progression of bronchial obstruction and the decline of lung function.

If you want to quit smoking, there are many resources available to help you. The Quebec Lung Association (QLA) offers a number of free smoking cessation services.

Helpline

You can get support from a respiratory therapist by calling our telephone helpline Monday to Thursday between 8 AM and 5 PM and from 8 AM to noon on Friday.

  • 1-888-0768-6669-9, extension 232
  • Email: info@pq.poumon.ca

Program Freedom from Smoking

Join the Freedom from Smoking Program  through participation in support groups by calling 1-888-768-6669, ext. 222.

Your Guide to Smoking Cessation

A valuable step-by-step guide to help you quit smoking. Download here (french only).

There are also other useful services.

I QUIT NOW (Québec MSSS)

Quit Smoking Centres (QSC)

  • Contact your local CLSC.
  • https://tobaccofreequebec.ca/iquitnow/person-help

Medication

The medications used for the treatment of COPD are aimed at maximizing lung function, reducing shortness of breath, and improving exercise tolerance. A number of prescription medications are available, as well as the devices used to take them.

Your doctor is the ideal health professional to decide on the best treatment for you. It is essential that you discuss with your doctor any problems you have using the drug delivery device prescribed for you. Your administration technique will have a direct impact on the drug’s effectiveness. The three main categories of drugs used to treat COPD are listed below:

  • Bronchodilators
  • Anti-inflammatories
  • Medications used to manage exacerbations or flare-ups (when your condition deteriorates and symptoms worsen)

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are the foundation treatment in COPD because they open the airways and prevent or reduce shortness of breath, especially during exertion. There are three bronchodilator classes.

Bronchodilators work according to the so-called “lock and key” principle, whereby each drug class is like a key that works to open a lock. In this analogy, the lock is  a specific receptor. Lastly, within each of these classes, there are medications that have a short duration of action (4 to 6 hours) and others that have a long duration of action (approximately 12 to 24 hours).

  • Beta2-agonists (also called beta2-adrenergics)

  • Anticholinergics

  • Bronchodilator combination therapies

  • Inhaled corticosteroids

  • Phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors

Medicines to treat exacerbations

Cortisone, in the form of tablets or syrup, as well as antibiotics, are primarily used to treat flare-ups and are usually part of the patient’s COPD action plan. A prescription for these medications is provided in advance, so when the patient notices a worsening cough or change in sputum colour, they can take this drug to prevent an exacerbation of symptoms. If you have COPD, ask your doctor for an action plan.  

Oxygen therapy

Home oxygen therapy is prescribed to increase blood oxygen levels considered to be insufficient in individuals who meet very specific criteria. Your treating physician can provide you with further information.

Immunization

People with COPD and their loved ones should get a flu shot every fall. Your treating physician may also recommend a pneumococcal vaccine to protect you from pneumonia.

Respiratory rehabilitation

 offer a comprehensive management approach that deals with the psychological, social and physical impacts of the disease. Enrolled individuals participate in sessions conducted by an interdisciplinary team of health professionals who provide interventions in various areas (exercise, nutrition, breathing techniques, energy conservation principles, etc.). An exercise program specifically adapted to the physical condition of the COPD patient will strengthen the respiratory muscles and improve quality of life. The, located at QLA offices, offer a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program at no charge.

Other centres also offer similar programs. To learn more about this program or the location of other such programs near you, call 1-888-768-6669, ext. 236.

Not everyone, however, is fortunate enough to have such a centre close to home or the means of transport to get there. Our team has, therefore, developed an training guide (french only) especially for people with respiratory diseases.

Other interventions

Surgical procedures such as lung reduction and lung transplant are only considered in very specific cases. Research advances in the area of chronic lung disease are being made and we hope will soon yield new treatments.

Did you know

The Quebec Lung Association offers direct services to the population. For more information, visit our  Patient Resources section.