When reviewing the medical history intake form of my recent new patients, I noticed an increasing number of those who have the YES bubbled in indicating they have COPD. According to Move Forward PT, COPD is estimated to be the fifth leading cause of death in the world.
More commonly affecting men rather than women, COPD is slowly progressive and only partially managed or reversed with multidisciplinary treatment. Smoking is the primary cause for developing COPD, while inhalation of toxic substances, pollutants, or environment interactions are other possible risk factors.
COPD is characterized by airway obstruction limiting your body’s ability to efficiently move air in and out of your lungs. Chronic airway obstruction leads to chronic inflammation of the airways resulting in permanent destruction of your lungs.
Common types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Patients usually are not referred to us for treatment of their emphysema or chronic bronchitis, however our physical therapists are skilled in designing an individual plan of care that methodically considers how to safely treat their primary complaint while also taking into consideration the wide-ranging effects of COPD.
Because COPD can make it significantly difficult to breathe, a person’s quality of life will progressively decline. COPD can lead to an increased risk of falls, weakness of muscles in the arms and legs, loss of rib-cage and shoulder mobility, and reduced exercise tolerance.
Stop by and let our team improve your quality of life by educating you on how to slow the progression of COPD while concurrently treating whatever ailment prevents you from participating in daily and recreational activities!
