Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, commonly known by it's initials, COPD, is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, and a major cause of death throughout the world. It is sometimes known as the "silent" disease because it progresses slowly and worsens over time.
What is COPD:
Chronic- permanent, incurable
Obstructive- blocks
Pulmonary- pertaining to lungs
Disease- a condition with signs and symptoms
Causes of COPD: COPD occurs when the airways in your lungs are clogged,
usually with mucus. The most common cause of COPD is a combination of chronic bronchitis and
emphysema. Chronic Bronchitis occurs when your airways are narrow and partly clogged with
mucus. Emphysema occurs when the air sacs deep in your lungs are damaged. 80-90% of
people who get this combination are heavy smokers.
Symptoms of COPD:
MILD- soft coughing with sputum (mucus) for around three months for two straight years
MODERATE - shortness of breath from moderate effort
- coughing and increased sputum (mucus)
- recurrent chest infections or bronchitis
SEVERE- severe shortness of breath
- coughing and excessive amounts of sputum
- wheezing
- recurrent infections in the chest
- fluid build up around the ankles
-blue appearance to the skin
- barrel shape chest
Interesting Fact:
- In the U.S., it is estimated that 13.6 % of males and 11.8 % of females between the ages
of 65-74 are thought to have COPD according to statistics proven by the American Lung
Association.