Can Laso MD address COPD?

Certainly, a doctor on Laso MD can provide a variety of treatment options for COPD. By inquiring about your symptoms, the doctor may recommend additional tests, such as x-rays, to aid in the diagnosis.

Subsequently, they will discuss potential treatment approaches and prescribe medications, including puffers, for ongoing management. In Québec, Laso MD collaborates with respirologists, specialists in COPD management.

 

Can I receive a prescription on Laso MD?

Absolutely, our physicians on Laso MD have the capability to prescribe medications online during your consultation. Upon accepting a prescription, you can choose to pick it up from any pharmacy or opt for convenient door-to-door delivery at no extra cost.

 

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a persistent lung condition characterized by coughing, shortness of breath, and sputum production. It involves inflammation and obstruction of the lungs, often attributed to prolonged exposure to lung-damaging chemicals, notably those present in cigarettes, in North America.

COPD is an umbrella term commonly originating from two respiratory conditions: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Affecting over 2 million Canadians aged 35 and older, COPD can significantly reduce mobility and impede daily life.

Chronic bronchitis entails prolonged inflammation of the bronchi, the primary passages to the lungs, leading to excessive mucus production that obstructs airflow.

Emphysema is a progressive lung ailment that damages the air sacs (alveoli), causing them to weaken and rupture. Healthy lungs possess numerous small air sacs, but emphysema-affected lungs feature larger sacs due to ruptured walls between smaller sacs, making it challenging to expel air and resulting in fatigue and breathing difficulties.

While there is no cure for COPD, the condition can be effectively managed with proper care.

 

What are the symptoms of COPD?

COPD symptoms do not manifest immediately; they develop gradually as the lungs sustain damage. With increased damage, complications arise, leading to symptoms such as:

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity
• Fatigue
• Wheezing
• Production of mucus through coughing
• Persistent cough lasting over three months
• Bluish lips or fingernail beds
• Frequent respiratory infections or pneumonia
• Unexplained weight loss

COPD flare-ups, triggering prolonged symptoms, can be managed or prevented through careful identification and avoidance of triggers, along with the necessary tools for effective COPD management.

Symptoms of a COPD flare-up include:

• Unexplained and persistent fatigue
• Increased shortness of breath
• Cold symptoms like a sore throat
• Fever
• Mucus from coughing that is green, tan, or contains blood
• Confusion
• Chest pain

 

What Causes COPD?

In North America, the primary cause of COPD is prolonged exposure to lung irritants, particularly chemicals. In Canada, it is most commonly observed in smokers and may also affect individuals working in environments with chemicals and debris, such as construction sites.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis, often associated with COPD, can be exacerbated by exposure to cigarette smoke, especially in individuals already predisposed to asthma.

While rare, genetic factors can contribute to COPD. A deficiency in alpha-1-antitrypsin, a liver-produced protein crucial for lung development, can result in poor lung development.

Age is another factor, with the majority of COPD cases occurring in individuals over the age of 35.

Various triggers can exacerbate COPD, including:

• Environmental factors: outdoor pollutants like smog, poor air quality, or indoor irritants such as cigarette smoke and harsh household cleaners
• Close contact with individuals suffering from respiratory infections like the flu, as contracting such illnesses can worsen breathing difficulties for those with COPD.

 

How is COPD Diagnosed?

COPD diagnosis can pose challenges, especially in smokers, as symptoms align with various conditions affecting breathing, such as asthma. Typically, to diagnose COPD, a doctor will inquire about your medical history, emphasizing details related to potential lung-damaging chemical exposures, including your smoking history.

Various tests aid in COPD diagnosis, including chest X-rays, pulmonary function tests, arterial blood gas analysis (assessing oxygen transport in the blood), CT scans for a closer examination of lung conditions and damage extent, and a lab test for the rare possibility of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

 

How is COPD Treated?

While there is no cure for COPD, there are treatments to alleviate symptoms.

Quitting smoking significantly improves lung health.

Other COPD treatments include medications like inhalers (puffers) to facilitate breathing. Common types of inhalers include:

• Bronchodilator Inhalers: Opening up airways, available in beta2-agonist and anticholinergic forms for quick relief and long-term support.
• Combination Inhalers: Daily maintenance treatment, combining multiple medicines to reduce airway swelling and alleviate long-term breathlessness.
• Nebulizer Medication: Ideal for those having difficulty using inhalers, misting medication through a mask held against the face.
• Preventative measures like flu shots to ward off lung-stressing illnesses and avoiding close contact with sick individuals.
• In certain cases, a home oxygen supply alongside other medicines.
• During COPD flare-ups, treatment varies based on severity, ranging from inhalers to mechanical interventions. Corticosteroid pills and antibiotics may be prescribed in some cases. COPD treatment may also involve orally taken Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors or Mucolytics to loosen phlegm.

COPD treatment plans are individualized, emphasizing the importance of creating an action plan with a doctor. This plan helps recognize flare-up signs, detailing which medicines to take, when to take them, and when hospital consideration is necessary.

 

What distinguishes COPD from asthma?

Although both asthma and COPD share similar symptoms, such as difficulty breathing, they are distinct conditions. COPD typically develops gradually and is a consequence of prolonged exposure to factors like chemicals or cigarette smoke, resulting in long-term lung degradation. Importantly, COPD tends to worsen over time.

In contrast, asthma doesn’t necessarily progress continuously and is not directly linked to long-term lung degeneration. Asthma can affect individuals of all ages, including young people, while COPD is more prevalent in individuals over the age of 35.

Notably, individuals with asthma often return to normal lung capacity between symptoms, whereas this is not the case for those with COPD.

 

What is Laso MD?

Laso MD provides a convenient avenue for swift and accessible access to Canadian healthcare providers. By logging in and requesting a consultation, you can promptly connect with a doctor through live chat or video. In Québec, you can also schedule appointments with respirologists, experts in COPD management.

The process is simple – log in, tap a button to request a consultation, and we’ll promptly connect you to a doctor. For more details, you can visit our How it Works page.

Our doctors can evaluate symptoms and provide treatment, including necessary prescriptions.