Diagnosing and Treating COPD

Based in Houston, Dr. Alex Lechin is an experienced pulmonary specialist who has been the director of the Texas Institute of Chest and Sleep Disorders for the last 25 years. Dr. Alex Lechin takes a special interest in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD is not a single disease, but actually refers to a group of diseases that affect the respiratory system, including emphysema. This is a lifelong disease that is caused by inhaling various irritants, which is why a major percentage of people who get COPD are current or former smokers.

While common symptoms such as shortness of breath and tightness in the chest may be easily noticed, there are other symptoms that may not be easily recognized. If the disease has progressed past the early stages there can be fatigue and swelling of the ankles and feet, as well as weight loss. The color of a person’s fingernails and lips can be an indicator of something more serious, and if they are bluish-gray it indicates a lack of oxygen in the blood.

Depending on the severity of the disease, there are a number of different options for treatment that will help manage the disease over time. A lot of people with COPD use inhalers with bronchodilators that work to lower any inflammation in the lungs and airways. If the disease has progressed further there could be the need for a portable oxygen tank, and even surgery in the most serious cases.

A person with COPD must manage the disease, as there is no cure, and this will include making lifestyle changes, including quitting smoking and a healthier diet. As every case differs, the patient’s physician will develop a plan to manage the disease over time. 

Understanding Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS)

A medical professional, Dr. Alex Lechin serves as the director of the Texas Institute of Chest and Sleep Disorders and is a clinical assistant professor at Baylor College of Medicine. He has worked in both institutions for over two decades. In his role at the Texas Institute of Chest and Sleep Disorders, Dr. Alex Lechin manages and treats patients experiencing critical care, pulmonary, and sleep disorders.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS), otherwise known as Willis-Ekbom disease, is a sleep disorder that involves a persistent urge to move your legs. People with RLS usually experience sensations in their legs that cause them discomfort. The uncomfortable sensations typical of RLS include itching, throbbing, crawling, aching, and creeping. These feelings go away when they move their legs. Although rare, RLS can also occur in other parts of the body, like the chest and hands.

Typically, RLS occurs whenever the affected person sits still for a while or during the night when they're about to fall off to sleep. As such, individuals with RLS usually have difficulty sleeping. This lack of sleep can eventually lead to other significant health and personal life challenges. According to the statistics, approximately 10 percent of people living in the US suffer from RLS, with women and middle-aged people forming the bulk of those affected. Furthermore, 80 percent of individuals with RLS also struggle with periodic limb movement of sleep (PLMS), a condition typified by twitching of the legs during sleep.

 

How Heart Failure Can Cause Sleep Disorders

Dr. Alex Lechin is an accomplished pulmonologist and sleep medicine expert based in Houston, Texas. In the course of a career spanning over three decades, he has served in senior medical positions across various facilities. In his current role, Dr. Alex Lechin serves as the director of the Texas Institute of Chest and Sleep Disorders, where he specializes in managing patients with sleep disorders.

Sleep disorders prevent an individual from getting a good night's sleep so essential to restoring their mind and replenishing their energy. There are many medical issues that can cause sleep disorders, including complications associated with heart failure. A sudden increase in blood pressure and heart rate can interfere with good quality sleep. Heart failure occurs when the ability of the heart to adequately pump and circulate blood diminishes.

Heart failure patients find themselves having interrupted sleep because they often wake up at night because of shortness of breath. This is a result of fluids accumulating in the lungs and surrounding tissues while lying down. Men with heart failure also suffer from obstructive sleep apnea, which is a breathing disorder that disrupts sleep, causes daytime sleepiness, and can worsen the symptoms of heart failure.

Patients with heart failure are often advised to use pillows to elevate the upper part of the body. There are also medications such as benzodiazepine that can promote good sleep despite breathing difficulties. Some patients may require a special device or supplemental oxygen to boost pressure and air circulation in the upper respiratory tract and chest cavity to enable them breathe and sleep normally.