Prevalence of COPD Among Aging Adults is High in Florida

Senior Care in Clearwater, FL and Surrounding Areas

A few years ago, I shared a story about a friend whose Mom has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD. Over the Christmas holidays last year, she tested positive for COVID-19, and she became very sick. Her breathing became increasingly labored, and she was very weak.

Her youngest daughter took her to the emergency room for treatment, but nothing the ER team did, or, subsequently, her pulmonologists, seemed to help.  The severe illness lingered for six months until the woman was finally hospitalized by a different doctor on her pulmonary team, and more comprehensive treatments were administered. Fortunately, the new doctor prescribed a high-spectrum antibiotic, along with special breathing treatments and lung procedures, which helped her recover. She continues to do breathing treatments using a nebulizer at home, and she takes multiple medications as directed.

November is COPD Awareness Month, which is why I chose to share this update. According to the COPD Foundation, the prevalence of COPD among aging adults is high in Florida, as well as in our West Pasco and Pinellas County communities.

“Florida has high COPD prevalence, hospitalization, readmission, and overall smoking rates, but the death rate is somewhat lower than average,” the organization said.

The statistics bear this out:

• 6.2% of adults (1,163,100) have been diagnosed with COPD
• 37.2 people out of every 100,000 die each year
• $2.48 billion is the annual cost for treatment

What is COPD?

Healthline estimates that as many as 30 million Americans have COPD which is “a group of lung diseases” that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

“Emphysema slowly destroys air sacs in your lungs, which interferes with outward airflow. Bronchitis causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, which allows mucus to build up,” Healthline says.

What Causes COPD?

Smoking is the primary cause of COPD for men and women over the age of 40. It encompasses cigarette smokers, cigar smokers, pipe smokers, and people exposed to prolonged second-hand smoke.

In addition, exposure to chemicals and fumes at work, air pollution, and dust, may also cause COPD.

Plus, Healthline says, “There may be a genetic predisposition to developing COPD. Up to an estimated 5% of people with COPD have a deficiency in a protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin. This deficiency causes the lungs to deteriorate and also can affect the liver. There may be other associated genetic factors at play as well.”

Stages of COPD

There are four stages of COPD based on a grading system known as GOLD classification that serves to determine the patient’s prognosis and treatment plan. These stages are:

• Grade 1 – Mild
• Grade 2 – Moderate
• Grade 3 – Severe
• Grade 4 – Very Severe

“As the disease progresses, you’re more susceptible to complications such as respiratory infections, common colds, flu, and pneumonia; heart problems; high blood pressure in lung arteries (pulmonary hypertension); lung cancer; and depression and anxiety.”

Medications and Treatment Options for COPD

The following medications and treatment options help symptoms of COPD and reduce flare-ups:

• Inhaled Bronchodilators – Help relax tight muscles in the airways through inhalation of medication via inhaler devices or nebulizers.
• Corticosteroids – Applied through inhalers or pills, these medications help reduce inflammation and mucus production. They are long-acting bronchodilators that also relax airway muscles and help them stay expanded.
• Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors – This medication is a pill for patients with severe COPD and chronic bronchitis that helps reduce inflammation and relax airways.
• Theophylline – An older medication that isn’t typically the first-line treatment physicians choose, it can ease chest tightness and shortness of breath.
• Antibiotics and Antivirals – These are used to treat respiratory infections associated with COPD.
• Vaccines – These are used to reduce the risk of respiratory infections and include annual flu shots, pneumococcal vaccines, and tetanus booster shots for protection from whooping cough.
• Oxygen Therapy – When blood oxygen levels are too low, oxygen therapy may be ordered for use at home through a mask or nasal annual to help patients breath better. Portable units are available.
• Surgery – A variety of surgical procedures may be recommended for severe cases of COPD with emphysema, and lung damage, and may include transplantation. “In 2018, an EBV device called the Zephyr Endobronchial Valve was approved by the FDA and has been shown to improve lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life for patients living with emphysema,” Healthline reports.
• Lifestyle Changes – Adjusting your lifestyle can help reduce symptoms and provide relief, such as stopping smoking; avoiding secondhand smoke and chemical fumes; developing a healthy meal plan and getting the proper nutrition; and identifying how much exercise is safe with your primary care physician.

I’m happy to report that my friend’s Mom has recovered from the illness and is currently stable. She is living independently at home where she is most comfortable, and her daughters and sister provide transportation assistance to doctor appointments, deliver groceries, complete pharmacy pickups, and run other errands to help.

If you have COPD or you know someone with COPD who would benefit from the assistance of a highly-skilled, compassionate caregiver who can help with activities of daily living, transportation assistance to/from doctor appointments, homemaking services,  grocery shopping and meal preparation, personal care, or companionship, I offer a FREE consultation to assess specific needs and discuss the many ways Home Helpers® can make life easier.

We, at Home Helpers® Clearwater, are honored to have been ranked among the Home Care Pulse Top 100 Leaders in Experience for home care providers and to have received these awards in 2024: Best of Home Care® Provider of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Employer of Choice, the Best of Home Care® Leader in Experience, as well as being named a Caring.com 2023 Caring Super Star.

We proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, Dunedin, Holiday, Hudson, Largo, New Port Richey, Oldsmar, Palm Harbor, Port Richey, Safety Harbor, Saint Petersburg, Seminole, Tarpon Springs, Trinity, and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…we are Making Life Easier® 727.942.2539

Sources:

COPD Foundation

Healthline