Ask the Doctors: Common Respiratory Conditions

Family Medicine Georgia

Lung diseases are very common for adults in the US. In fact, the most common respiratory conditions affect millions of Americans by challenging their ability to breath regularly. The lungs are part of a complex system that, when functioning normally, expand and relax thousands of times each day in order to deliver oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. Respiratory issues occur when some component of this system is disrupted. These conditions can be caused and aggravated by several factors including certain infections, genetics, and lifestyle habits. In order to educate our patients about the dangers of respiratory conditions, the healthcare providers here at Abraham Family Medicine have answered a few questions about some of the most common lung conditions.

 

Question #1: How does smoking affect a person who is infected with COVID-19?

Although smokers have no greater risk of becoming infected with COVID-19, smoking can greatly increase the risk of negative health effects among people once they are infected. Preliminary research from the Centers For Disease Control (CDC) suggests that smokers infected with COVID-19 are nearly 1.5 times more likely to have severe symptoms and 2.5 times more likely to be admitted to the ICU when compared to non-smokers. Additionally, smoking can contribute to other respiratory conditions that can make a person more vulnerable to COVID-19 complications.

Question #2: What is the difference between Chronic Bronchitis and Acute Bronchitis?

Acute bronchitis is far more common than chronic bronchitis. The condition typically follows a respiratory infection and symptoms normally last for about two or three weeks. In contrast, chronic bronchitis is one of the most common forms of COPD. Unlike acute bronchitis, chronic bronchitis is associated with frequent re-occurrences over time. Over time, repeated instances of acute bronchitis can lead to the development of chronic bronchitis (especially for smokers). Although chronic bronchitis is primarily caused by long-term cigarette smoking, repeated exposure to dust, fumes, and other pollutants can also trigger this condition.

Question #3: What are the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Shortness of breath while performing everyday activities is perhaps the most common symptom of COPD. Unfortunately, many people just consider this a side effect of getting older and may not even realize that anything is wrong until they are in the later and more serious stages of the disease. Other common COPD symptoms to look out for include chronic coughing, frequent respiratory infections, blueness of the lips or fingernails, wheezing and producing an unusually large amount of mucus. The sooner COPD is diagnosed, the more effectively it can be treated.

Respiratory issues can be very serious if left untreated, so it’s especially important to reach out to your healthcare provider in a timely manner if you experience any of these symptoms for an abnormal length of time. For more information or if you would like to schedule an appointment, please contact Abraham Family Medicine today. We offer a wide variety of general healthcare services for people of all ages at our Snellville office, located very close to Grayson, Dacula, and Lilburn.