COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is an inflammatory disease that progressively deteriorates your lungs and restricts air flow, causing you to have trouble breathing. Most people with COPD are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer or heart disease without treatment.
Symptoms are similar to those of bronchitis and emphysema. Bronchitis is an irritation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carries air to and from the lung air sacs. It causes coughing and mucus production. Emphysema is when small air passages are destroyed and is caused by breathing in damaging gases, such as cigarette smoke. Tightness in the chest, wheezing and a blue tint to lips or fingernails are common symptoms. The good news? COPD is treatable and there’s a new procedure that is making a significant difference.
In with The New
Traditionally, COPD has been treated in a variety of ways that are all good options.
- Medication-designed to help with less flare-ups
- Rehabilitation-mostly consists of exercise training, education and nutrition advise
- Oxygen-A supplemental oxygen supply that is usually delivered through nose prongs/face mask.
- Surgery or Transplants-Reconstruction or replacement of your lungs.
Recently, a new procedure has been tested. It’s called Target Lung Denervation (TLD). It can be used with other therapies and is designed to ease COPD symptoms. According to WebMD, it has been shown to reduce symptoms by more than half compared to those who did not receive the treatment.
What is TLD?
Target Lung Denervation is a procedure that essentially deactivates nerves outside of the airways, which causes constricted airways to relax and widen. A catheter is passed through a tube and gives those outside nerves an electric charge. When this procedure is paired with another treatment, such as medication, the results are even better.
Breathe Easier
The procedure is new and is still being tested at DM Clinical Research. We’d like to help further advance research while helping you with your COPD issues. Visit us at 13406 Medical Complex Dr, Suite 53 in Tomball, Texas. Or you can call us at 281-517-0550 to talk to someone today about what we can do for you.