Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is/are There A Connection Of Differentation Between COPD And Cocci? Differences Noticeable? Treatment?
Question: Is/are there a connection of differentation between COPD and Cocci? Are their diferences noticable? How best to treat and ID if both are present? Could Lyme disease be present or a causing factor?
Hi, thanks for using healthcare magic
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There are two formats : (1) emphysema (2) chronic bronchitis. Some persons would only have one of these but often persons can have a combination of both of these conditions.
Chronic bronchitis is defined as the presence of a persistent productive cough for at least 3 months out of 2 consecutive years.
Emphysema is diagnosed when there is abnormal permanent enlargement of the air spaces or passages in the lung with destruction of the walls of these passages.
As stated most persons may have a combination of the two. The most common symptoms would be cough - worse in the morning and productive of sputum, shortness of breath, wheezing, unable to tolerate alot of activity or exercise.
In some cases the symptoms can worsen if the person gets a chest infection along with the COPD.
This condition is diagnosed by history of symptoms, sputum testing to rule out infection and lung function tests. Chest xrays or other imaging may also be done.
Cocci is normally the term used to describe some types of bacteria . It refers to bacteria with a spherical shape.
There are different types , the most common are streptococci, staphylococci and diplococci. These bacteria are then further divided into different types.
Testing for infection can be done by taking a sample of possible infected tissue such as sputum.
Lyme disease is not a cause of COPD. Though it can rarely occur in non smokers, cigarette smoking is the most common cause.
Other possibilities would be exposure to environmental pollutants or a genetic problem.
Lyme disease is caused by a bite from an infected tick. The tick can be infected with borrelia burgdorferi and lyme disease occurs as a result of this bacteria.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. There are two formats : (1) emphysema (2) chronic bronchitis. Some persons would only have one of these but often persons can have a combination of both of these conditions.
Chronic bronchitis is defined as the presence of a persistent productive cough for at least 3 months out of 2 consecutive years.
Emphysema is diagnosed when there is abnormal permanent enlargement of the air spaces or passages in the lung with destruction of the walls of these passages.
As stated most persons may have a combination of the two. The most common symptoms would be cough - worse in the morning and productive of sputum, shortness of breath, wheezing, unable to tolerate alot of activity or exercise.
In some cases the symptoms can worsen if the person gets a chest infection along with the COPD.
This condition is diagnosed by history of symptoms, sputum testing to rule out infection and lung function tests. Chest xrays or other imaging may also be done.
Cocci is normally the term used to describe some types of bacteria . It refers to bacteria with a spherical shape.
There are different types , the most common are streptococci, staphylococci and diplococci. These bacteria are then further divided into different types.
Testing for infection can be done by taking a sample of possible infected tissue such as sputum.
Lyme disease is not a cause of COPD. Though it can rarely occur in non smokers, cigarette smoking is the most common cause.
Other possibilities would be exposure to environmental pollutants or a genetic problem.
Lyme disease is caused by a bite from an infected tick. The tick can be infected with borrelia burgdorferi and lyme disease occurs as a result of this bacteria.
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Are the symtoms of these three similar? I am having difficulty with the treatment regimine for COPD that I have diaganosed--mostly inhalers. I have not had a complete review of air intake functions (by an ENT specialist) beginning at the volume of air intake through the nostrils. I have gotten bette results by using saline spray to the nose. I wonder how must the sinuses flow way could be considered in the treatment program?
Hi
Cocci is not a specific disease, it refers to types of bacteria that can cause infection. The infections can affect different aspects of body including the lungs in pneumonia or the sinuses.
Pneumonia would generally cause a productive cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain.
In this case the productive cough would be acute (just started and last only a limited amount of time) compared to chronic bronchitis in COPD where the cough is at least 3 months.
Saline spray to the nose is often used for nasal congestion usually due to sinus disease.
If you have sinus disease along with COPD then the saline would definitely be helpful.
Some persons may have both conditions co existing.
In terms of the inhalors , these are most commonly used for COPD.
If you are unsure of the diagnosis of COPD you can consider asking your doctor for investigations to check for the condition. This would include a pulmonary function tests. This would definitively tell you whether it is present or not.
Lyme disease would initially cause a red rash in the area of the bite. This is followed by possible heart disease (abnormal heart rhythm) and nervous disease (abnormal sensations, paralysis).
It would not be associated with the symptoms you have described.
Please feel free to ask any other questions
Cocci is not a specific disease, it refers to types of bacteria that can cause infection. The infections can affect different aspects of body including the lungs in pneumonia or the sinuses.
Pneumonia would generally cause a productive cough, fever, shortness of breath, chest pain.
In this case the productive cough would be acute (just started and last only a limited amount of time) compared to chronic bronchitis in COPD where the cough is at least 3 months.
Saline spray to the nose is often used for nasal congestion usually due to sinus disease.
If you have sinus disease along with COPD then the saline would definitely be helpful.
Some persons may have both conditions co existing.
In terms of the inhalors , these are most commonly used for COPD.
If you are unsure of the diagnosis of COPD you can consider asking your doctor for investigations to check for the condition. This would include a pulmonary function tests. This would definitively tell you whether it is present or not.
Lyme disease would initially cause a red rash in the area of the bite. This is followed by possible heart disease (abnormal heart rhythm) and nervous disease (abnormal sensations, paralysis).
It would not be associated with the symptoms you have described.
Please feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. XXXXXXX
Thank you for your assistence and patience. Your responses are clear and very informative. This is greatly appreciated.
Based on what you know at this point, should I consider whether TB is present? Or some sort of combenation of these deseases?
My problems(knowledge by me) started on 9-07-2012, my birthday. I had returned from a business trip, 5 hour drive each way and relaxing/napping at home ablewaiting to be picked up by friends. They arrived and I got up to welcome them where upon I passed out or fainted. They were alarmed and I felt generally ok but couldn't explain what had just happened. Out of an abundance of caution, the decision was to call for medical support. By ambulance I was taken to the hospital. My 02 levels was mid in the mid 80s. i was not on oxygen or any other support. Once in the hospital it seemed to be a rush to economy and efficeincy of effort as aposed to examination and inspection. Hence a COPD judgement. I left the hospital 5 days later with oxygen requirements, heart, potassium and water pills. I felt sick. I do not have high blood pressure and until that day I was ok. I was a smoker of cigars but not a chian smoker.
I am most concerned that since them it has been most difficult to have a conversation with a professional about what I am experiencing. I do not want to build crushes for my body unnecessarly. This is the first coversation of any lenght about my experiences. I trust I am not a bother or imposing on you or your organization? What I want and believe I need is straight talk to come a reasonable and productive strategy going forward. I am compentant to handle this discussion.
Thank you.
Thank you for your assistence and patience. Your responses are clear and very informative. This is greatly appreciated.
Based on what you know at this point, should I consider whether TB is present? Or some sort of combenation of these deseases?
My problems(knowledge by me) started on 9-07-2012, my birthday. I had returned from a business trip, 5 hour drive each way and relaxing/napping at home ablewaiting to be picked up by friends. They arrived and I got up to welcome them where upon I passed out or fainted. They were alarmed and I felt generally ok but couldn't explain what had just happened. Out of an abundance of caution, the decision was to call for medical support. By ambulance I was taken to the hospital. My 02 levels was mid in the mid 80s. i was not on oxygen or any other support. Once in the hospital it seemed to be a rush to economy and efficeincy of effort as aposed to examination and inspection. Hence a COPD judgement. I left the hospital 5 days later with oxygen requirements, heart, potassium and water pills. I felt sick. I do not have high blood pressure and until that day I was ok. I was a smoker of cigars but not a chian smoker.
I am most concerned that since them it has been most difficult to have a conversation with a professional about what I am experiencing. I do not want to build crushes for my body unnecessarly. This is the first coversation of any lenght about my experiences. I trust I am not a bother or imposing on you or your organization? What I want and believe I need is straight talk to come a reasonable and productive strategy going forward. I am compentant to handle this discussion.
Thank you.
Hi
You are definitely not a bother, it is very natural to be concerned about any illness or ill health.
It is difficult to understand how COPD can be diagnosed without appropriate testing being done.
As mentioned , most doctors would normally go through chest xrays, lung function testing before reaching this diagnosis.
Since you did not have these done , you may want to speak to your GP about a referral to a pulmonologist for a proper evaluation
In terms of TB- this would normally present with fever, night sweats, decrease appetite, shortness of breath and a productive cough.
This would be diagnosed with a chest xray and analysis of sputum which is sent to the lab.
Loss of consciousness or fainting should be investigated by ECG ( to check the rhythm of the heart), CT scan of the brain and blood tests.
If they provided medication for the heart it implies that they suspected that the heart was involved in your fainting episode.
I think the best option would be to see a pulmonologist to check the lungs and determine whether you truly have COPD.
BAsed on this doctor's findings you can move from there
Please feel free to ask any thing else
You are definitely not a bother, it is very natural to be concerned about any illness or ill health.
It is difficult to understand how COPD can be diagnosed without appropriate testing being done.
As mentioned , most doctors would normally go through chest xrays, lung function testing before reaching this diagnosis.
Since you did not have these done , you may want to speak to your GP about a referral to a pulmonologist for a proper evaluation
In terms of TB- this would normally present with fever, night sweats, decrease appetite, shortness of breath and a productive cough.
This would be diagnosed with a chest xray and analysis of sputum which is sent to the lab.
Loss of consciousness or fainting should be investigated by ECG ( to check the rhythm of the heart), CT scan of the brain and blood tests.
If they provided medication for the heart it implies that they suspected that the heart was involved in your fainting episode.
I think the best option would be to see a pulmonologist to check the lungs and determine whether you truly have COPD.
BAsed on this doctor's findings you can move from there
Please feel free to ask any thing else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. XXXXXXX
Thanks for being there. I thought I had lost you.
I have a appointment with a pulmanary specialist on 1-17-2013. This was arranged in March. I have seen my regular DR. mostly. I have had a pulmanary function test, echo, ct scan of chest with contrast, blood work. But have not yet seen an ENT specialist. I trust the Pulmanary specialist will refer me on the 17th. These test were ordered for me by doctors that work in the Pulmanary specialist's clinic. I trust I am going to get the results on the 17th. Because this is going slowly, and I was told that the rule of thumb is 90 days between appoints for COPD. I felt trapped in routines and being treated just like another number. I needed to talk about this as I believe I am not stable and might be aggravating my condition.
The incident on my birthday was for me, akin to a bone break. It happened and should be healing-- it is not. The break is not healing. My sense is it is breaking further. As a lay person I appreciate discussions with professional on issues and get straight forward assessments. Hince I am reaching out to you.
If COPD can not be reversed what woulld cause it to accelerate? What are medicines and other support tools compenation preferences? How best to manage the coocktails of medicines that i take now. What roll does order an freguency play in the results achieved.
Thanks for bring there. I need my hand held for a while.
At that meeting I want to be as informed as possible. Not a know-it-all but an informed patient concerned about my health. Not just another number of file. I trust you will work with me to that end.
Thanks for being there. I thought I had lost you.
I have a appointment with a pulmanary specialist on 1-17-2013. This was arranged in March. I have seen my regular DR. mostly. I have had a pulmanary function test, echo, ct scan of chest with contrast, blood work. But have not yet seen an ENT specialist. I trust the Pulmanary specialist will refer me on the 17th. These test were ordered for me by doctors that work in the Pulmanary specialist's clinic. I trust I am going to get the results on the 17th. Because this is going slowly, and I was told that the rule of thumb is 90 days between appoints for COPD. I felt trapped in routines and being treated just like another number. I needed to talk about this as I believe I am not stable and might be aggravating my condition.
The incident on my birthday was for me, akin to a bone break. It happened and should be healing-- it is not. The break is not healing. My sense is it is breaking further. As a lay person I appreciate discussions with professional on issues and get straight forward assessments. Hince I am reaching out to you.
If COPD can not be reversed what woulld cause it to accelerate? What are medicines and other support tools compenation preferences? How best to manage the coocktails of medicines that i take now. What roll does order an freguency play in the results achieved.
Thanks for bring there. I need my hand held for a while.
At that meeting I want to be as informed as possible. Not a know-it-all but an informed patient concerned about my health. Not just another number of file. I trust you will work with me to that end.
Hi
there are a number of factors that have been shown to affect the prognosis of COPD , they include: (1) smoking
(2) hyperactive airway-this means that the airways react to viruses,exercise, emotion and changes in the environment more than another person
(3)males actually have a slightly worse prognosis compared to female
(4)repeated lung infections
(5)low body mass index- this means persons who are very small
(6) decrease exercise capacity- not able to be active
COPD is treated with (1)the use of inhalors which reduce the contraction of the airways and the mucus secreted in the airways.This may include inhaled steroids
(2) mucolytic medications which decrease the thickness of any secretions in the chest so that it can be expelled easier
(3)smoking cessation is considered the most important part of treatment
(4)the occasional use of inhaled steroids when there is alot of inflammation
(5) early treatment of any chest infections
(6) oxygen therapy may be needed in some persons
(7)vaccines against flu each year, the pneumococcal vaccine would be offered when you reach 65
Normally the first part of treatment would be the smoking cessation and the inhalors. Any other treatment is added if needed.
it is understandable to be concerned.
Please feel you can ask anything else
there are a number of factors that have been shown to affect the prognosis of COPD , they include: (1) smoking
(2) hyperactive airway-this means that the airways react to viruses,exercise, emotion and changes in the environment more than another person
(3)males actually have a slightly worse prognosis compared to female
(4)repeated lung infections
(5)low body mass index- this means persons who are very small
(6) decrease exercise capacity- not able to be active
COPD is treated with (1)the use of inhalors which reduce the contraction of the airways and the mucus secreted in the airways.This may include inhaled steroids
(2) mucolytic medications which decrease the thickness of any secretions in the chest so that it can be expelled easier
(3)smoking cessation is considered the most important part of treatment
(4)the occasional use of inhaled steroids when there is alot of inflammation
(5) early treatment of any chest infections
(6) oxygen therapy may be needed in some persons
(7)vaccines against flu each year, the pneumococcal vaccine would be offered when you reach 65
Normally the first part of treatment would be the smoking cessation and the inhalors. Any other treatment is added if needed.
it is understandable to be concerned.
Please feel you can ask anything else
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
DR.
I will repond as you presented.
I stopped smoking for the most part. I smoke in the morning to cause me to expell mucus fronm by sinuses. Once the mucus is gone byspitting an blowing my nose I am good to the next morning. I have been able to use the saline spray as an alternative to cigar smoke. Saline takes longer. Note: I have had a post nasal drip for over 20 years. I have used allergra, claritin D and other prescritions but have never controlled it. It has been discrided a large stream. It is constant and affects my vocal cords. I have travelled extensively in rural areas in Africa, West Indies, Europe. I have not gotten ill but wondered....
I have not had a cold, flu in at least 25 years. I have never taken a flu shot. I did grow up on a farm and was around pesticides and insectisides, dust, smoke alot. To my knowledge, I have not had a lung infection. I did fall in 2/2010 and broke two ribs. (Lung damage was ruled out) Huumm, just thinking...Xray techican said I had long lungs.
I have lost 25 lbs since September '12 now weigh 135 lbs down from as much as 206 in 2008. I am 5'11".
I have a hard time getting around. Not much strenght to walk, lift, carry or exert myself. This is the leg that keeps on breaking. I was very active and strong 9-7-2012. doing what I allways did and now need oxygen to move small distances.
I will repond as you presented.
I stopped smoking for the most part. I smoke in the morning to cause me to expell mucus fronm by sinuses. Once the mucus is gone byspitting an blowing my nose I am good to the next morning. I have been able to use the saline spray as an alternative to cigar smoke. Saline takes longer. Note: I have had a post nasal drip for over 20 years. I have used allergra, claritin D and other prescritions but have never controlled it. It has been discrided a large stream. It is constant and affects my vocal cords. I have travelled extensively in rural areas in Africa, West Indies, Europe. I have not gotten ill but wondered....
I have not had a cold, flu in at least 25 years. I have never taken a flu shot. I did grow up on a farm and was around pesticides and insectisides, dust, smoke alot. To my knowledge, I have not had a lung infection. I did fall in 2/2010 and broke two ribs. (Lung damage was ruled out) Huumm, just thinking...Xray techican said I had long lungs.
I have lost 25 lbs since September '12 now weigh 135 lbs down from as much as 206 in 2008. I am 5'11".
I have a hard time getting around. Not much strenght to walk, lift, carry or exert myself. This is the leg that keeps on breaking. I was very active and strong 9-7-2012. doing what I allways did and now need oxygen to move small distances.
Hi
I am sorry that you feel so unwell.
The weight loss, need for oxygen, inability to exert yourself is of concern.
At your appointment next wednesday, your doctor will be able to conduct a full examination and based on his findings and the results of the tests you had done would be able to give you a better idea of your prognosis and the way forward.
The pulmonary function tests would show how efficiently the lungs are working and would help your doctor classify the severity of the disease.
Hope this helps, please feel you can ask anything else
I am sorry that you feel so unwell.
The weight loss, need for oxygen, inability to exert yourself is of concern.
At your appointment next wednesday, your doctor will be able to conduct a full examination and based on his findings and the results of the tests you had done would be able to give you a better idea of your prognosis and the way forward.
The pulmonary function tests would show how efficiently the lungs are working and would help your doctor classify the severity of the disease.
Hope this helps, please feel you can ask anything else
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
