HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, sputum production and wheezing. It's caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions.

Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions that contribute to COPD. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It is characterized by daily cough and sputum production. Emphysema is a condition in which the air sacs (alveoli) at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure.

Causes- The main cause of COPD in developed countries is tobacco smoking. In the developing world, COPD often occurs in people exposed to fumes from burning fuel for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated home

·         Emphysema. This lung disease causes destruction of the fragile walls and elastic fibers of the alveoli. Small airways collapse when you exhale, impairing airflow out of your lungs.

·         Chronic bronchitis. In this condition, your bronchial tubes become inflamed and narrowed and your lungs produce more mucus, which can further block the narrowed tubes. You develop a chronic cough trying to clear your airways.

Symptoms-Symptoms of COPD often don't appear until significant lung damage has occurred, and they usually worsen over time, particularly if smoking exposure continues. For chronic bronchitis, the main symptom is a daily cough and sputum production at least three months a year for two consecutive years.

Other signs and symptoms of COPD include:

·         Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities

·         Wheezing

·         Chest tightness

·         Having to clear your throat first thing in the morning, due to excess mucus in your lungs

·         A chronic cough that produces sputum that may be clear, white, yellow or greenish

·         Blueness of the lips or fingernail beds (cyanosis)

·         Frequent respiratory infections

·         Lack of energy

·         Unintended weight loss (in later stages)

People with COPD are also likely to experience episodes called exacerbations, during which their symptoms become worse than usual day-to-day variation and persist for at least several days.

HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES

ANTIMONIUM ARS 30—It is an excellent remedy for this condition. Excessive dyspnea and cough with much mucus secretion, worse on eating and on lying down.

ASPIDOSPERMA Q- It is considered as a tonic for lungs. Removes temporary obstruction  to the oxidation of blood by stimulating respiratory centres. Want of breath during exertion is  a guiding symptom. Give 10 drop doses

ANTIMONIUM TART. 30- Emphysema of the aged. Coughing and gasping , consequently. Great rattling of mucus in the lungs. Rapid , short, difficult breathing

BRYONIA ALBA 30- Frequent desire to take a long breath, must expand lungs. Dry, barking cough worse at night. Quick, difficult repiration with pain in the chest

COCA 30- Want of breath or shortness of breath . Especially useful for aged sports men and alcoholics. Hoarseness or loss of voice and dyspnea. Give 5-6 drops doses every 2 hours, in severe cases

NAPHTHAINUM 30- Dyspnea and sighing respiration. Emphysema of the aged with asthma. Long and continued paroxysms of coughing . Tenacious expectoration

SENEGA 30- Respiration increased . Excessive dyspnea. Sharp, contractive pains in the muscles of chest. Persistent cough

LOBELIA  Q- Coughing with vomiting, asthma preceded by prickling all over, hyperventilation, panting, threatened with suffocation , fear of death , chest feels constricted, worse from any movement