Everyone knows someone who smokes. The odds that you know someone who has COPD is then rather high. COPD you're saying, I never heard of that before? Learn more in this brief article.
The disease is not a new one, but the term COPD is most likely not familiar to most of us. But you might as well get used to the term right away, because according to the WHO they reckons that within the year 2020 Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease will be on of the most common causes of death in the world.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a chronic asthmatic disease distinguished by the permanent reduced lung capacity caused by changes in the airways and lungs.
Most people don't know that they are effected. Smoking is the most important cause of COPD. Between 15 - 20% of smokers are developing COPD.
Tobacco use is the number one cause of COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and quitting smoking is considered the best way to halt further damage.
It's estimated that as many as 10 million Americans suffer from COPD, with possibly as many as 14 million others who have it but have not been diagnosed. In the United States, it was the 4th leading cause of death in 2000 and projections put it at the 3rd leading cause by the year 2020.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease can not be cured, only treated. Stop smoking is the most important treatment.
COPD symptoms includes a strong cough, wheezing, tightness in the chest, recurrent respiratory infections, impaired exercise tolerance and phlegm production.
COPD is also tightly connected with the feeling of shame, because the cause is in most cases connected to heavy smoking. Coughing and heavy wheezing patients are often faced with the accusation that they have them self to thanks for the condition. Due to this, a lot of people with this diagnosis is ashamed and are trying to hide their problems.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease patients are more affected by a cold and flue than others. Infections can be prevented by getting rid of as much as possible of the phlegm in the airways, by drinking lots of water and trying to keep moving around.
I'm 59 years old and female. I was diagnosed a couple of years ago with COPD and I was beyond scared! My lung function test indicated 49% capacity. After having had flu a year ago, the shortness of breath, coughing and chest pains continued even after being treated with antibiotics. I've been smoking two packs a day for 36 years. Being born without a sternum caused my ribs to be curled in just one inch away from my spine, resulting to underdeveloped lungs. At age 34 I had surgery and it was fixed. Unfortunately my smoking just caused more damage to my already under developed lungs. The problem was having is that I enjoy smoking and don't want to give up! Have tried twice before and nearly went crazy and don't want to go through that again. I saw the fear in my husband and children's eyes when I told them about my condition then they start to find solution on their own to help my condition.I am an 59 now who was diagnose COPD emphysema which I know was from my years of smoking. I started smoking in school when smoking was socially acceptable. I remember when smoking was permitted in hospitals. It was not known then how dangerous cigarettes were for us, and it seemed everybody smoked but i was able to get rid of my COPD lung condition through the help of total cure herbal foundation my husband bought, totalcureherbsfoundation .c om has the right herbal formula to help you get rid and repair any lung conditions and cure you totally with their natural organic herbs,it class products at affordable prices. Purchase these medicines and get the generic medicines delivered in USA, UK & Australia,I wish anybody who starts smoking at a young age would realize what will eventually happen to their bodies if they continue that vile habit throughout their life.
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