Here’s What You Can Do About Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Jun 26, 2024
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15 million people in the U.S. are affected by Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (or COPD), a long-term disease that creates a blockage of proper airflow from the lungs, resulting in breathing complications. COPD is also a term representing a group of lung-damaging diseases including chronic bronchitisemphysema and occasionally asthma.

Two of the most common conditions related to COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which can often coexist with one another.

COPD symptoms.

Symptoms of COPD will usually present themselves once extreme damage is done.

COPD symptoms include:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Recurring respiratory infections
  • Wheezing
  • Swollen feet, ankles, or legs
  • An excess of phlegm
  • Low energy
  • Unexplained weight loss

Out of the 15 million people in America with COPD, 39% of them have not quit smoking. Given that COPD is a life-long disease once diagnosed, symptoms are expected to gradually worsen, especially for those who don’t protect themselves from smoke exposure.

Causes and prevention.

When COPD transpires, a reduced amount of air is able to pass through an individual’s airways. This is often due to several reasons including the airway walls turning into an inflamed or thick structure (causing swelling), lung air sacs and airways losing flexibility, excess mucus (causing blockage of air) and destroyed walls between the air sacs.

If you’re a smoker, the most effective way to avoid developing COPD is to completely stop smoking. Non-smokers are encouraged to never start. Currently, 8 out of 10 deaths associated with COPD are a result of smoking.

It’s equally important to understand that being a smoker is not the only risk factor to put your focus on, secondhand smoke is just as harmful. Secondhand smoke emerges from cigars, cigarettes, and pipes. Exposure to pollutants in the air at work or home can also lead to COPD. In the U.S., 1 in 4 individuals diagnosed with COPD admitted they have never smoked cigarettes.

How to receive treatment for COPD

Although there is not a cure for COPD, partnering with your physician can slow down the decline of lung function.

To better understand your treatment options for COPD please schedule an appointment by clicking here.

Regardless of the date published, no content on this website should ever be used as a replacement for direct medical advice from your primary care provider or another qualified clinician.

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