Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentA Word From Verywell
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
A Word From Verywell
Chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD) is a group of disorders affecting the lungs and airways and is considered the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States.CLRD encompasses four commonly overlapping chronic diseases: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
This article looks at the causes and symptoms of CLRD as well as how this group of conditions is diagnosed and treated.
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Cigarette smoking is the major cause of these illnesses, accounting for about 80% of cases.However, exposure to air pollutants in the home and workplace, genetic factors, and respiratory infections can also play a role in the development of chronic lower respiratory disease, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
As mentioned, chronic lower respiratory disease is an umbrella term fordiseases of the lungs. Typical symptoms across most of these conditions include:
Additional symptoms may vary depending on the root condition:
CLRDs are primarily diagnosed via a thorough physical exam, intake history, and an assessment of lung function, but each condition may require more specific testing in order to narrow down the diagnosis.
The primary tests used to diagnose mostlower respiratory diseasesinclude some combination of the following:
The severity of the illness and treatment vary based on the particular type of chronic respiratory disease. If you’re a current smoker, the most important thing you can do to aid your treatment is to quit smoking.Avoiding secondhand smoke and other air pollutants may also help, as can wearing a mask or ventilator at your workplace if you’re regularly around triggering substances.
Your healthcare provider will help you create a pulmonary rehabilitation program focused on your specific disease management needs and that works to help you boost your quality of life.
Certain symptoms, such as coughing or wheezing may be treated with medications. In patients with low blood oxygen levels as a result of their chronic lower respiratory disease, supplemental oxygen may be given.
Exercise has also been shown to be helpful in many different lung conditions, as it helps improve lung function. One study of 114 COPD patients found that physical activity in the form of walking positively affected lung function decline.
How Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Is Treated
The optimal form of treatment and therapy for CLRDs will depend on your specific condition. But with all forms of CLRDs, there are many steps you can take to prevent further progression of the disease, most of which center on close monitoring, keeping up with medications, and following pulmonary rehabilitation techniques, in addition to maintaining balanced nutrition, good hydration, regular gentle exercise, and striving to reduce stress. Work together with your healthcare team to find an integrative treatment plan that works best for you.
3 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Demeyer H, Donaire-Gonzalez D, Pons IS, Anto JM, Garcia-Aymerich J.The importance of being physically active on functional decline in patients with COPD.Eur Respir J. 2016;48(suppl 60). doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.OA1522Additional ReadingDemeyer H, Donaire-Gonzalez D, Pons IS, Anto JM, Garcia-Aymerich J.The importance of being physically active on functional decline in patients with COPD.European Respiratory Journal,2016 48: OA1522. doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.OA1522
3 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Demeyer H, Donaire-Gonzalez D, Pons IS, Anto JM, Garcia-Aymerich J.The importance of being physically active on functional decline in patients with COPD.Eur Respir J. 2016;48(suppl 60). doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.OA1522Additional ReadingDemeyer H, Donaire-Gonzalez D, Pons IS, Anto JM, Garcia-Aymerich J.The importance of being physically active on functional decline in patients with COPD.European Respiratory Journal,2016 48: OA1522. doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.OA1522
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Demeyer H, Donaire-Gonzalez D, Pons IS, Anto JM, Garcia-Aymerich J.The importance of being physically active on functional decline in patients with COPD.Eur Respir J. 2016;48(suppl 60). doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.OA1522
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes: chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Demeyer H, Donaire-Gonzalez D, Pons IS, Anto JM, Garcia-Aymerich J.The importance of being physically active on functional decline in patients with COPD.Eur Respir J. 2016;48(suppl 60). doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.OA1522
Demeyer H, Donaire-Gonzalez D, Pons IS, Anto JM, Garcia-Aymerich J.The importance of being physically active on functional decline in patients with COPD.European Respiratory Journal,2016 48: OA1522. doi:10.1183/13993003.congress-2016.OA1522
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