Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive disease, meaning that the disease gets worse over time and makes it hard for people suffering from COPD to breathe. COPD is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow into the lungs, which is caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particle matter, most often from smoking. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are different types of COPD and can be difficult to tell apart, since each presents problems with breathing and other lung symptoms. Both of these conditions affect normal airflow and are usually caused by smoking or sometimes air pollution; but, symptoms of both can be eased through the use of an in-home or portable oxygen concentrator.
The difference in emphysema and chronic bronchitis is how each of the diseases affect the lungs. While there is no cure for either of these diseases, there are treatment options. Most treatments include medications, steroids, and the use of oxygen concentrators.
Emphysema-The gradual destruction of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, which hinders breathing. The alveoli of the lungs are responsible for providing oxygen to the blood stream. Since emphysema strengthens over time, it continues to weaken the alveoli and destroys the elasticity of pulmonary airways. As a result, emphysema sufferers experience shortness of breath and are constantly struggling to breath, which is why doctors often prescribe oxygen therapy through the use of an oxygen concentrator either in the form of a home concentrator or a portable oxygen concentrator.
Chronic Bronchitis- The exact opposite of emphysema. Chronic bronchitis causes a person’s lungs to become very inflamed. Bronchitis usually affects the windpipe and passageways of the lungs, and is a result of sever irritation or infection. Severe coughing is the body’s natural response to chronic bronchitis in hopes to clear the air passage ways. Air passage ways can also be cleared through supplemental oxygen like that from an oxygen concentrator.
Oxygen Always has a large selection of portable oxygen concentrators, previously owned oxygen concentrators, and home oxygen concentrators. Check out Oxygen Always’ selection of oxygen concentrators online and find a concentrator that can match your lifestyle, so that your lifestyle does not have match your emphysema or bronchitis.
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