COPD

More than 15 million Americans can’t catch their breath because of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). If you can’t control a persistent cough or wheezing, schedule a diagnostic evaluation for COPD at StatCare. The experienced pulmonologists offer lung function testing on-site to confirm COPD. They also customize a treatment plan using medications, lifestyle changes, and supplemental oxygen therapy to improve your lung function and prevent your symptoms from worsening. Call the office in Knoxville, Oak Ridge, or Athens, Tennessee, to schedule a COPD consultation or book an appointment online today. 

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that affects breathing. Under the umbrella of COPD are two inflammatory lung conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema

Emphysema describes inflammation in the alveoli — the air sacs at the end of the small air passages in your lungs.

Chronic bronchitis

Chronic bronchitis describes inflammation in the lining of your bronchial tubes that carry air to and from the alveoli of your lungs.

Your risk for COPD increases significantly if you smoke. You might also be at a higher risk for emphysema or chronic bronchitis because of genetic factors, exposure to dust or fumes in the workplace, or exposure to secondhand smoke.

People with asthma, another type of chronic lung condition, may also be prone to developing COPD.

When should I seek help for COPD?

If you experience a sudden shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, or confusion, you should call 911 or go to the nearest hospital for immediate treatment.

You should schedule a diagnostic evaluation for COPD at StatCare if you have persistent symptoms, such as:

• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Fatigue
• Swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet

COPD can also cause a chronic cough that produces clear, yellow, or green mucus.

The pulmonary specialists offer lung function tests on-site to measure how much air you can move in and out of your lungs. They may also order a chest X-ray to identify other lung abnormalities that interfere with your ability to breathe.

How is COPD treated?

In the early stages of COPD, StatCare can help you quit smoking for good to prevent a worsening of your condition. You should also avoid exposure to chemicals, secondhand smoke, and other lung irritants.

If you experience wheezing or shortness of breath, you might need to take oral or inhaled medications to reduce inflammation in your lungs.

When your COPD symptoms are more severe, your lung specialist may recommend oxygen therapy. An oxygen tank delivers supplemental oxygen through a face mask or nasal plugs to help you breathe easier. 

Those who need oxygen therapy might also be a candidate for a pulmonary rehabilitation program that offers resources for diet, exercises, and other activities to strengthen lung health.

Don’t delay a diagnostic evaluation for symptoms of COPD. Call the StatCare office near you or book an appointment online today.

Zephyr^® Endobronchial Valve Procedure for Severe COPD/Emphysema

What is the Zephyr Valve?

The Zephyr Valve Treatment is a minimally invasive treatment for people with severe COPD/emphysema. The Zephyr Valves are an implant designed to fit in the airways of the lungs. The valves are placed in selected airways during a bronchoscopy procedure (no incisions or cutting required) and are an alternative to the more invasive traditional lung volume reduction surgery.

Who is the Zephyr Valve for?

Generally, candidates who should be evaluated for Zephyr Valve Treatment are patients who:

• Have a confirmed diagnosis of COPD or emphysema
• Have to stop to catch their breath often, even with taking their medication as directed
• Have reduced lung function (FEV₁≤50% predicted)

These are general criteria but only a Zephyr Valve trained physician can determine if you are a candidate. There is an evaluation process to determine if you are a candidate for the treatment. Find a treating center near you.

What are the Benefits of Zephyr Valves?

In clinical studies patients treated with Zephyr Valves have been shown to¹:

• Breathe easier
• Be more active
• Enjoy an improved quality of life

How does the Procedure Work?

If you have severe COPD/emphysema you may struggle to catch your breath while doing everyday tasks. This is because the damaged parts of your lungs have lost their ability to release trapped air and have become overinflated. Zephyr Valves are tiny, one-way valves that allow the trapped air to be exhaled from the lungs and prevent more air from becoming trapped there. This helps patients breathe better and do more.¹

What can Patients Expect?

Zephyr Valves are placed during a procedure that does not require any cutting or incisions. A typical Zephyr Valve procedure looks like this:

Step 1 – The doctor will give the patient medicine to make them sleepy.

Step 2 – A small tube with a camera, called a bronchoscope, will be inserted into your lungs through your nose or mouth.

Step 3 – During the procedure your doctor will place on average 4 Zephyr Valves in the airways. The number of valves placed will depend on the individual anatomy of the patient’s airways and physician discretion.

Step 4 – You will stay in the hospital for a minimum of 3 nights. Some patients who experience a complication may be required to stay longer.

Step 5 – After the procedure, you will continue to use the medicines that your doctor has prescribed for your condition.

For more information about the technology, go to https://uspatients.pulmonx.com/ 

¹ Criner G et al. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018; 198 (9): 1151–1164.

Important Safety Information: The Pulmonx Zephyr® Endobronchial Valves are implantable bronchial valves indicated for the bronchoscopic treatment of adult patients with hyperinflation associated with severe emphysema in regions of the lung that have little to no collateral ventilation. Complications can include but are not limited to pneumothorax (tear in the lung), worsening of COPD symptoms, hemoptysis, pneumonia, and, in rare cases, death. The Zephyr Valve is contraindicated in patients who have not quit smoking. Please talk with your physician about other contraindications, warnings, precautions, and adverse events. Only a trained physician can decide whether a particular patient is an appropriate candidate for treatment with the Zephyr Valve.

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