Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Treated in Tampa, FL

Woman with COPD using rescue inhaler

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of inflammatory lung conditions that can make it difficult to breathe. Other symptoms include persistent coughing, wheezing, and excessive mucus production. COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and some people have both. The most common cause is long-term exposure to a lung irritant, such as tobacco smoke.

There is no cure for COPD, but treatment can ease your symptoms, reduce your risk of developing complications such as heart disease and lung cancer, and improve your quality of life. In Tampa, Florida, you can receive exceptional COPD treatment from the team at South Tampa Immediate Care. We can suggest medications to suppress your cough, reduce your fever, ease your muscle aches, and help you feel better.

How Does COPD Interfere With Your Breathing?

Your lung’s airways branch out into thousands of thin tubes that end in balloon-like air sacs, which are lined with tiny blood vessels (capillaries). When the air you inhale reaches the air sacs, oxygen passes into your bloodstream via the capillaries. At the same time, a waste product (carbon dioxide) moves out of the capillaries and into the air sacs. Known as gas exchange, this process moves oxygen into—and carbon dioxide out of—your body.

COPD hinders the gas exchange process, which can make it difficult for you to breathe because:

  • Your normally flexible airways and air sacs may lose elasticity.
  • The walls of your airways may become inflamed.
  • Your airways may produce excess mucus and become clogged.
  • The walls of your air sacs may break down.

Living With COPD

The key to effectively managing your COPD symptoms is avoiding triggers, such as smoke, dust, humidity, and temperature extremes. For instance, it can be helpful to stay inside an air-conditioned building when it is humid outside. It is also important to closely follow the instructions provided by your doctor, which may include using a rescue inhaler or certain medications at the first sign of a flare-up, such as shortness of breath or increased phlegm production. If you require additional COPD treatment, your doctor may prescribe a short course of steroids to reduce the inflammation in your lungs.

If you experience life-threatening COPD symptoms, such as severe shortness of breath, an inability to speak in full sentences, mental confusion, or bluish lips or fingertips, you should seek emergency COPD treatment at the nearest hospital ER.

At South Tampa Immediate Care, your health is our No. 1 priority. Our experienced team can help you manage your COPD symptoms and get on with your life. Contact us or stop by our walk-in clinic at 602 South Howard Avenue in Tampa, FL, to learn more. You can also book an in-clinic visit online.