Appointments
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+32 16 34 47 75 - weekdays from 08:00 to 17:00
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Private consultation: +32 16 34 68 61 - Mon, Tue and Fri from 09:00 to 11:00 and weekdays from 13:00 to 15:00
Symptoms
- Shortness of breath during intense exertion, later during mild exertion, and even at rest
- Coughing with mucus production
Effects
COPD is a disease in which the airways progressively narrow. At the same time, lung tissue around the airways is destroyed. This is a slow but essentially irreversible process.
Emphysema
- Alveoli are destroyed.
- The lungs lose their elasticity, the alveoli rupture, and large air cavities form.
- There is less lung tissue to absorb oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.
Chronic bronchitis
- Persistent inflammation of the airways with excessive mucus production.
- The mucus obstructs airflow during exhalation.
Complications
The combination of an unhealthy lifestyle and airway inflammation accelerates the development of other diseases.
Possible complications of COPD include:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Osteoporosis
- Muscle weakness
- Diabetes
- Lung cancer
- Depression
Risk factors
The main causes of COPD are:
- Smoking (90% of cases)
- Asthma
- Air pollution
- Genetic factors
- Respiratory infections
Treatment
Below are some possible treatment options for this condition. After diagnosis, your doctor, in collaboration with you and the other doctors on the team, will choose the best solution for you. Your treatment may therefore differ from the therapies listed below.
Tests and diagnosis
In cases of (suspected) disease, one or more tests are carried out.
