HOMOEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR COPD, OR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, mucus (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's characterized by daily cough and mucus (sputum) production.

Emphysema is a condition in which the alveoli at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure to cigarette smoke and other irritating gases and particulate matter.

COPD is treatable. With proper management, most people with COPD can achieve good symptom control and quality of life, as well as reduced risk of other associated conditions.

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 homes.

Only about 20 to 30 percent of chronic smokers may develop clinically apparent COPD, although many smokers with long smoking histories may develop reduced lung function. Some smokers develop less common lung conditions. They may be misdiagnosed as having COPD until a more thorough evaluation is performed.

Symptoms-COPD symptoms 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 mucus (sputum) production at least three months a year for two consecutive years.

Other signs and symptoms of COPD may 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 may produce mucus (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)
• Swelling in ankles, feet or legs

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

Well selected Homoeopathic remedies are effective for COPD and can manage safely without any side effects.

ASPIDOSPERMA Q-Aspidosperma is one of the best remedies for COPD and it is considered a tonic for lungs. Aspidosperma removes temporary obstruction to the oxidation of blood by stimulating respiratory centres.Another guiding symptom is want of breath during exertion .

ANTIMONIUM TART 30-Antimonium tart is best for COPD, where emphysema of the aged, coughing and gasping consequently . There is great rattling of mucus in the lungs and rapid , short, difficult breathing.

BRYONIA ALBA 30- Bryonia alba is another excellent remedy and it is prescribed when there is frequent desire to take long breath, must expand lungs.There is dry, barking cough , worse at night. Another feature is quick , difficult respiration with pain in the chest.

COCA 30- Coca is prescribed for COPD where there is want of breath or shortness of breath. Coca is especially useful for aged sports men and alcoholics. There is hoarseness or loss of voice and dyspnea.

NAPHTHALINE 30-Naphthaline is prescribed where there is dyspnea and sighing respiration.Naphthaline is useful for emphysema of the aged with asthma. There is long and continued paroxysms of coughing and tenacious expectoration.

SENEGA 30-Senega is another effective remedy with increased respiration. There is excessive dyspnea and sharp contractive pains in the muscles of chest.Another feature is persistent cough.

LOBELIA Q-Lobelia is prescribed for COPD where there is coughing with vomiting, asthma preceded by prickling all over, hyperventilation, panting, threatened with suffocation, fear of death, chest feels constricted, worse from any movement.

ANTIMONIUM ARS 30-Antimonium ars is an excellent remedy for COPD with emphysema. There is excessive dyspnea and cough with much mucus secretion , worse on eating or lying down. Asthma like condition.

CHININIUM ARS 30- Chininium ars is prescribed where there is asthma like attacks which occur periodically. Great prostration

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

CURARE 6- Curare is prescribed where there is  threatened cessation of respiration on falling asleep .Other symptoms are -short breath, short dry cough,  very distressing dyspnea.