Corona Regional Medical Center Health News
Corona Regional Medical Center Health News

Conquer COPD and Breathe Better

WomanFor people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, breathing can be a battle. This illness includes two main conditions:

  • Chronic Obstructive Bronchitis: This causes irritation and inflammation of the lining of the airways leading to the lungs. The lining thickens and mucus forms, making it hard to breathe.
  • Emphysema: This causes erosion of the spongy air sacs in the lungs, which leads to poor oxygen transfer to the blood.

Ahmed El-Bershawi, MD, is an internal medicine physician who specializes in pulmonology and sleep medicine. "Different COPD patients have varying degrees of each condition," he says. "Younger COPD patients tend to have more bronchitis than emphysema. As they get older, however, they can develop emphysema, especially if the bronchitis isn't properly treated," he says.

Almost all of Dr. El-Bershawi's COPD patients share one common trait: They are current or former smokers. "Few illnesses, including lung cancer, are more clearly associated with smoking," he says. "Quitting smoking -- or never starting -- is the most important step in avoiding or slowing the progression of COPD."

Ahmed El-Bershawi, MD
Ahmed El-Bershawi, MD
Internal medicine
Treatment could include bronchodilator medications to open the airways, steroids to calm inflammation or oxygen therapy, which involves wearing nasal prongs or a mask connected to a portable oxygen tank. "COPD patients don't need to be at the point where they're short of breath to benefit from oxygen therapy," Dr. El-Bershawi notes. "Sometimes, patients only need oxygen therapy at night while they sleep to feel much better during the day."

He emphasizes that because of their decreased lung functions, COPD patients are particularly susceptible to the effects of the flu and pneumonia. "It's critical that they get vaccinated against 2009 H1N1 flu, seasonal flu and pneumonia every year," he says.

Corona Regional Medical Center offers regular seminars on living with COPD and smoking-cessation programs. For more information, please call 951-737-4343.