For anyone who is concerned that they may have COPD, there is a good chance that they are already thinking about treatment options.
If you are in this exact situation, you are probably doing as much research as possible to find out about how you can deal with COPD.
Obviously, you want to visit your doctor so that you can receive a professional evaluation.
However, there is nothing wrong with taking the time to educate and inform yourself.
By absorbing information ahead of time, you will feel less overwhelmed when you go to visit your doctor.
During the course of your research about COPD, chances are you've discovered the common symptoms associated with this condition.
To review, one of the main symptoms is getting winded.
While it's normal to get winded when you are doing a strenuous activity like running several miles, it's not normal to get winded when you are doing something like light cleaning around your home.
Another sign that you may have this condition is if you have a cough that will not go away.
Not only is the cough associated with COPD persistent, but it also produces mucus on a regular basis.
When you visit your doctor, it's important to understand that she will most likely examine you with her hands.
In addition to doing this kind of personal examination, she will probably have you sent to the lab so they can get a x-ray image of your chest.
Securing this image will allow your physician to know for sure that you have COPD and not another condition that could impact your ability to breathe.
Once your physician knows for sure that you have COPD, she will break the news to you.
While this isn't good news, it's also not the worst news that you could get.
In addition to telling you that COPD is the cause of your symptoms, your doctor will also explain how you can deal with this condition.
The main option that your doctor will discuss with you is using an oxygen device.
Specifically, the type of device that people with COPD use is an oxygen concentrator.
The purpose of this machine is to give you the oxygen that your body is unable to take in on its own.
Your doctor should also tell you that there are two main types of concentrators.
The first type is designed to be used in your home, while the other type can be used anywhere that you want.
Because the majority of people with COPD don't want to be tied down to their home, they choose a portable oxygen device.
If you're concerned about using this type of technology, keep in mind that the device is only delivering oxygen, so it's a very natural way to help your COPD.
Unlike the drugs that are used to treat other conditions, you don't have to worry about putting anything foreign in your body.
You will simply be able to get the amount of oxygen that your body normally would get on its own if it was one hundred percent healthy.