Understanding Blue Bloater in Context with COPD A lot of people have this mentality that increasing breathlessness and coughing represents a normal part of the aging process which is very wrong. However, symptoms of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may not be noticed in the early stages but will become visible in the advanced stages. The COPD normally affects smokers and often characterized by two categories of suffers which are the blue bloaters or pink puffers. What is COPD? COPD is a term that describes progressive lung diseases and this category include refractory asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and some types of bronchiectasis. In fact, COPD is often characterized by increasing breathlessness. It is important to consult your doctor immediately any signs and symptoms of COPD is noticed before it gets to the advanced stages. These COPD symptoms include increased breathlessness, tightness in the chest, wheezing as well as frequent coughing which could come with or without sputum. It is important to note that COPD is a common ailment. For example, in the United States of America alone, it is estimated to affect over 24 million individuals with over 50% percent having symptoms of COPD but don’t really know about it. Early screening is expected to identify COPD before any major complications occur. COPD is caused in most cases by the inhalation of pollutants which includes cigars, pipes, cigarettes and even second hand smoke. In an industry or working environments, COPD has been developed in individuals through chemicals, fumes and dust. Another important contribution to COPD is genetics. This has been known to play a role even in cases where the person have never been involved in smoking or exposed to lung irritants in the working environment. COPD Top 3 Risk factors Smoking is number 1.In fact; it is the main contributor of COPD in people over 40 years of age who have had a history of smoking even if they are no longer current smokers. It is quite true that everybody who has smoked will not get COPD but the reality remains that about 90% of the people who have COPD have smoked. Environment: Most work places contain some hazardous and harmful pollutants and any long term exposure to these pollutants can cause COPD. Fumes, dust, some chemicals are harmful lung irritants found at most workplaces. There could also be lung irritants at home which could cause COPD and they include things like organic cooking fuel
Genetic Factors: This does not involve the other risk factors. In fact, it can be caused by Alpha-1 Antitrypsin when it is deficient in the bloodstream and there are other genetic predispositions to the development of COPD.
What is Blue Bloater? This is a term that relates to a person with COPD with symptoms of reoccurring bronchitis. This condition is what results into increased cardiac output and decreased ventilation. People who suffer from this disease are likely to retain more carbon dioxide and that is why it is called blue bloater. Blue bloater syndrome is normally associated with obese people that suffer from inadequate blood oxygenation. This type of problem is normally noted during sleep and it shows up as heart and breathing problems. Blue bloater problems usually manifest symptoms of severe conditions like increased heart rate, malfunctioning lungs and right heart failure. In fact, a blue bloater is expected to have the symptoms listed below. Arms and legs swelling and there would be distention in veins found in the neck Skin and lips are expected to assume a kind of bluish tinge from time to time. A possibility of experiencing productive cough usually with sputum for a period ranging from 3 to 12 months However, blue bloater is trick and dangerous because the prognosis is not very good. What is Pink Puffer? A person who suffers from emphysema is normally termed a pink puffer. Pink puffer is attributed to a person’s inability to oxygenate the blood sufficiently as a result of disorders present in the lungs. Emphysema is a type of COPD where the sufferer may breathe a lot more quickly, lose muscle density and experience some weight loss all as a result of lack of oxygen. Some other symptoms may include symptoms of chronic bronchitis, mild cough etc. In fact, a person who suffer from pink puffer will likely show the symptoms below The rate of respiration will be increased There is a possibility that sufferer may breathe through pursed lips Sufferer may be underweight or out rightly thin
When compared to the blue bloater, it is important to understand that the prognosis of the pink puffer is a lot much better making it less deadly than the blue bloater. Like mentioned earlier, the pink puffer is the opposite of blue bloater in the context with COPD in the sense that while there is more oxygen available for the pink puffer even though the sufferer has difficulty breathing, the blue bloater is reflected in a poorly oxygenated lung. However, it is important to note that both conditions can exist together even though there are differences in each of the conditions. But when this happens, it unfortunately leads to further complications and that is why it is very important to consult with a doctor if there is a suspicion of any of them as early treatment remains the best way to increases the chances of treatment.
Prevention of COPD Avoid Smoking: One way to stop COPD from starting or getting worse when it comes is by stopping smoking. Stopping the act of smoking goes a long way to slowing the damage that may be caused to your lungs. Avoid Inhaling Bad Air: Even though this does not carry weight like smoking, it is still one way to prevent COPD from getting worse. Airway irritants like the dust, chemical fumes and air pollution are the worst culprit. It is important to avoid inhaling this bad air to avoid aggravating COPD. COPD whether Blue Bloater or Pink Puffer remains a health concern. According to CDC, it is the 4th leading cause of death in the United States and all hands must be on deck to halt it. Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter