What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Chronic exposure to cigarette smoke and toxic gases wreaks havoc on the lungs over time. The delicate structure of the bronchi and alveoli deteriorates, leading to two major consequences: bronchitis and emphysema. Bronchitis develops when cigarette smoke irritates and inflames the bronchi, causing persistent cough and mucus production. Emphysema occurs when the alveoli, responsible for oxygen exchange, are progressively destroyed, reducing the lung's ability to absorb oxygen effectively. This impaired oxygen transfer triggers a cascade of serious health problems throughout the body due to insufficient oxygen supply.

COPD: Difficulty Breathing, Coughing, and a Higher Risk of Health Problems

COPD is a lung disease marked by difficulty breathing, a chronic cough (sometimes bringing up phlegm), and fatigue. These symptoms can worsen quickly in flare-ups that last a few days and may require extra medication.

People with COPD are more likely to experience:

• Lung infections (flu, pneumonia)
• Lung cancer
• Heart problems
• Muscle weakness and bone issues
• Depression and anxiety

COPD symptoms usually appear later in life and worsen over time, making everyday activities challenging due to breathlessness. This can lead to financial strain due to limitations in work and daily life, as well as the cost of medical care.

While sometimes referred to as emphysema or chronic bronchitis, COPD encompasses both:

• Emphysema: Damage to the tiny air sacs in the lungs.
• Chronic bronchitis: A chronic cough with phlegm production caused by airway inflammation.

COPD shares symptoms (cough, wheeze, breathing difficulty) with asthma, and people can have both conditions.

How Does The COPD Ballon Work?

The COPD Balloon Treatment represents a specialized therapeutic procedure crafted to alleviate the airway constriction and excess mucus production linked to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This groundbreaking approach seeks to rejuvenate airway dimensions and operational efficiency, offering relief to those living with respiratory symptoms associated with COPD.

COPD balloon involves scraping the 3mm airways using specific balloons chosen by the patient’s bronchial diameter. An electronic pump inflates and deflates the balloon to alter the inner bronchial layer back to its original thickness. The scraper feature transforms the goblet cell layer into foamy liquid, removing the resulting foamy mucus. This treats chronic bronchitis and altered bronchial cells in all accessible bronchi within both lungs. The procedure is performed under operating room condition within 2 hours.

How Does The Balloon Affect Patients?

Following the procedure, patients experience enhancements in lung function test results. There is a notable expansion in bronchial diameter, effectively preventing excessive phlegm production. The alleviation of shortness of breath is achieved through the opening of bronchi. Additionally, there is an improvement in exercise tolerance, accompanied by an increase in the distance covered during the 6-minute walking test. Improvements were noted in the effort capacity, SpO2 and forced expiratory volume in 1 second levels of all patients. None of the patients developed preoperative complications or complication or exacerbation within the postoperative 1 to 3 months of follow-up.

Managing COPD: Beyond The Balloon

Lifestyle Changes:

• Quitting smoking: This is the single most important step to slow COPD progression.
• Avoiding air pollution: Reduce exposure to irritants like dust, fumes, and secondhand smoke.
• Getting vaccinated: Protect yourself against flu and pneumonia to minimize lung infections.

Medical Treatments:

• Inhaled medications: These are the cornerstone of COPD treatment, opening airways and reducing inflammation.
• Bronchodilators: Relax muscles in the airways, easing breathing.
• Short-acting: Used for quick relief during flare-ups.
• Long-acting: Taken daily for long-term management, often combined with inhaled steroids.