Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease By Perrin Braun
I was surprised to learn the fourth leading cause of death in the United States is the result of a disease I’ve never even heard of. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (or COPD) is actually responsible for the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people each year. You might be familiar with its other names—like emphysema and chronic bronchitis—but whatever COPD is called, it’s a pretty serious condition.
People who suffer from COPD have blocked airways (the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs), so they have a very difficult time breathing. Even the most mundane tasks become an exertion when have COPD. Due to a shortness of breath, it becomes difficult to walk, get dressed, or do work around the house.
The majority of COPD patients are long-time smokers. The years of tobacco usage have a profound effect on the lungs. However, other environmental factors such as pollution, asthma, and poor nutrition can contribute to the disease. People typically are not diagnosed with COPD until their forties and fifties, although symptoms can begin much earlier. Recognizing your symptoms early on will give you a leg-up on the disease so you can make certain lifestyle changes (stop smoking, avoiding irritants in the air) to avoid doing further damage to your lungs.
Unfortunately, the damage done to the lungs cannot be repaired in COPD patients, as it is a progressive disease. To ease their breathing, they are given inhalers and in severe cases, oxygen and mucus thinners. If you smoke or experience a chronic cough and increased mucus production, you should make an appointment to see your doctor right away. It’s important to get an early diagnosis so that you can quickly begin treatment.
The bottom line is—if you don’t smoke, don’t start.
