COPD Specialist
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The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute
Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Specialists located in Beverly Hills, CA
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Board-certified pulmonologists Ashkan Naraghi, MD, and Dan Naim, MD, provide comprehensive COPD care at The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute in Beverly Hills, California. If you experience coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, call the office or request a COPD evaluation online today.
COPD
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a long-term lung condition that causes difficulty breathing. COPD includes two main conditions:
Emphysema
Emphysema occurs when the walls between the air sacs in your lungs become damaged or destroyed. This interferes with the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your lungs.
Chronic bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis causes constant inflammation of the lining of your airways. These passages become swollen and thick mucus blocks the flow of air.
COPD is a progressive disease, which means it worsens over time. The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute provides individualized care for COPD, including treatments and lifestyle changes that can slow the progression of the disease and improve your quality of life.
What are the signs and symptoms of COPD?
COPD symptoms are usually mild at first and increase in severity as the disease progresses. Signs and symptoms of COPD include:
- An ongoing cough that may produce mucus
- Chest pain or tightness
- Wheezing, or a whistling sound when you breathe
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity
- Frequent respiratory infections
You may experience exacerbations, which are periods of worsened symptoms that persist for several days.
What causes COPD?
Cigarette smoking is the primary cause of COPD, but up to 25% of people who have this condition never smoked.
Long-term exposure to any type of lung irritant, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust, can lead to COPD.
How is COPD diagnosed and treated?
The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute carefully reviews your symptoms and medical history. They perform a physical exam and listen to your lungs through a stethoscope.
They may also take pulmonary function tests, such as spirometry, to measure your breathing and rule out other conditions like asthma. You may also need imaging tests, such as a chest X-ray.
After they confirm your diagnosis, The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute creates an individualized treatment plan. Depending on your specific needs, COPD treatment may include:
- Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking
- Medications like bronchodilators or inhaled steroids
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Oxygen therapy
If you have severe emphysema that doesn’t improve with treatment, you may need surgery, such as a lung transplant or lung volume reduction.
For expert care of COPD, call The Beverly Hills Lung and Sleep Institute or schedule an appointment online today.
