The Natural Treatment

Our Program Addresses the Most Common Issues Faced by COPD and Chronic Lung Disease 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is used to describe a variety of conditions, such as Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, Pulmonary Fibrosis, and Sarcoidosis. These conditions involve inflammation or damage to the lungs that limit their ability to supply the body with oxygen. Usually these conditions are progressive, meaning that they get worse over time. According to the American Lung Association, approximately 14 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD, but millions more may have the disease without knowing it.

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Chronic inflammatory lung disease may be the result of smoking, exposure to toxins, chronic bronchitis, or other causes. 

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How is COPD Diagnosed and Monitored

COPD is diagnosed with spirometry and pulse oximetry testing. Spirometry is a very easy breathing test where the patient blows into a tube. The spirometer measures the volume of air moved by the lungs.
Pulse oximetry testing is a noninvasive method for measuring the amount of oxygen in the blood.

A 6 minute walk test is another assessment used with COPD patients to determine a baseline measurement of stamina.

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COPD Stages

There are four stages of COPD which are defined by the amount or volume of air a person breathes out in the first second of forced exhalation.

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In Stage I, COPD is considered mild and a person may not be aware that lung function is beginning to decline.

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In Stage II, considered moderate, you may notice shortness of breath during/after physical exertion as symptoms outlined above progress.

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In Stage III, considered severe COPD, exacerbations are common and shortness of breath continues to worsen. Exacerbations are flare-ups characterized by tightness in the chest and extreme shortness of breath; in some cases it may be necessary to use a bronchodilator inhaler or other fast-acting treatment.

In Stage IV, considered extremely severe, exacerbations may be life-threatening and your quality of life may suffer greatly.

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A 2017 study from the New England Journal of Medicine stresses the importance of early treatment of COPD. This research found that, over time, those living with even stage 1 COPD who were treated early had better outcomes than those who delayed treatment.