Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is lung disease that damages the lungs and makes it extremely difficult to breathe. COPD includes two main illnesses, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Approximately 14 million people in the United States have COPD; however there are probably a large number of undiagnosed cases. COPD is also the fourth leading cause of death in the US. Sixty five percent of COPD hospital discharges were for those 65 and older and a larger percentage of the cases were women.

The primary cause of COPD is smoking. Most of all COPD cases involved smoking and approximately 85 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking. A smoker is around 13 times more likely to die from COPD than a person who has never smoked. Other causes of COPD are second-hand smoke, air pollution, work related inhalations of pollutants, dust or chemicals, respiratory infections and heredity.

COPD slowly progresses. Typically a person does not notice the symptoms and is not diagnosed until middle age or later years. COPD is not contagious, but you cannot reverse the damages done to your lungs. The most common symptoms of COPD are chronic coughing and shortness of breath.

In COPD, the airways in the lungs are partially obstructed. The lungs become scarred and less air is able to flow through. In addition thick mucus is produced to line the bronchial tubes and causes a consistent cough. As the air sacs are destroyed in the lungs the lungs have difficulty inhaling and exhaling enough oxygen and causes shortness of breath. The lungs also are unable to transfer enough oxygen to the bloodstream.

COPD may not be that life threatening in its early stages but usually by the time the symptoms are noticed and the person goes to the doctor significant damage has occurred and is irreversible. By this time the person is risking serious respiratory problems and heart failure. COPD can limit your ability to work, limit physical activity, limit household chores, and affect sleeping and family activities. The best way to prevent COPD and keep it from getting worse is to stop smoking. Those with COPD should live a healthy life by exercising and eating well, refrain from smoking and avoid other air pollutants.

Treatment of COPD includes prescription drugs that open the air passages, medications that you inhale, antibiotics, and if severe enough a person may need oxygen treatment. Supplemental oxygen comes from an oxygen machine and is breathed through tubes that go over the mouth and nose. All treatments should be consulted with a physician before use.

Try to prevent COPD and use the correct treatment where applicable and have a better chance of being healthier and living longer.

Source: American Lung Association

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