COPD patients have a higher risk of developing dementia or cognitive impairment compared to those without COPD, and this risk is not affected by gender but seems to be associated with age.
COPD is a chronic and systemic inflammatory disease, and the inflammatory markers have been associated with cognitive impairment and dementia. COPD is also associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and this one of the mechanisms contributing to dementia.
People with COPD may have overall cognitive impairment or impairment in specific cognitive domains that affect information processing, attention, concentration, memory, executive functioning, and self-control (5).
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
Many people will live into their 70s, 80s, or 90s with COPD.” But that's more likely, he says, if your case is mild and you don't have other health problems like heart disease or diabetes. Some people die earlier as a result of complications like pneumonia or respiratory failure.
Respiratory failure is considered the major cause of death in advanced COPD.
Still, signs that you're nearing the end include: Breathlessness even at rest. Cooking, getting dressed, and other daily tasks get more and more difficult. Unplanned weight loss.
Most people who have COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis, but how serious each condition is varies from person to person. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of a slimy substance called mucus. It can also cause problems breathing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms.
Turns out, what you eat affects how you breathe. Some foods, such as white bread and pastries, fried foods and red meat, can damage tissue in the body. It's a process called inflammation. And studies show that it increases your risk of a COPD flare-up.
Without enough water, your mucus can become thick and stick to your lungs, adding to your breathing problems. Remember that drinks containing caffeine and alcoholic beverages can dehydrate you. The best drinks for staying hydrated include water, decaffeinated coffee or tea, and natural fruit juices.
The physical challenges of managing COPD can sometimes affect your mood and emotional health. Most people living with COPD experience feelings of sadness, fear and worry at times. This is common and normal when coping with a serious illness.
Because COPD reduces oxygen flow throughout the body, it also means reduced oxygen to the brain. Over time, low levels of oxygen can begin to cause brain damage. Patients with COPD who are experiencing neural decay may start having memory problems, similar to dementia.
Memory loss due to lack of oxygen
A lack of the necessary flow of oxygen to the brain can cause various types of dysfunction including memory loss.
People with COPD are more likely to have clinical anxiety and depression than those without the condition. But many people with COPD aren't aware that they have a mental health problem.
In people with COPD, the lungs can get damaged or clogged with phlegm. Symptoms include cough, sometimes with phlegm, difficulty breathing, wheezing and tiredness. Smoking and air pollution are the most common causes of COPD. People with COPD are at higher risk of other health problems.
Current literature highlights that COPD patients also have an increased risk to develop Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia.
Don't spend time around lung irritants.
Since people with COPD have more sensitive lungs, being around any type of irritant can make the condition worse. Avoid things like secondhand smoke, air pollution, dust and fumes from chemicals, paint or cleaning products, as well as mold and mildew.
Pace yourself and balance your activities with rest. Avoid heavy lifting, pushing heavy objects, and chores such as raking, shoveling, mowing, scrubbing. When lifting any object, exhale while lifting. Chores around the house might sometimes be tiring, so ask for help.
Especially if your COPD is diagnosed early, if you have mild stage COPD, and your disease is well managed and controlled, you may be able to live for 10 or even 20 years after diagnosis.
There is no cure for COPD, and the damaged lung tissue doesn't repair itself. However, there are things you can do to slow the progression of the disease, improve your symptoms, stay out of hospital and live longer. Treatment may include: bronchodilator medication – to open the airways.
Stage 2 COPD life expectancy is 2.2 years.
COPD has been found to be associated with increased sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk in the community.
Palliative care teams also help manage your shortness of breath by using medications that reduce the feeling of breathlessness. They can treat anxiety and depression with medications as well as talk therapy, massage and relaxation techniques. Having a chronic illness like COPD requires lifestyle changes.