Medical Information
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis--diseases that are characterized by obstruction to air flow. Because emphysema and chronic bronchitis frequently coexist, physicians use the term COPD to describe the symptoms. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.
By the Numbers:
- Over 117,000 Americans die from COPD each year.
- Between 80% and 90% of COPD cases are caused by smoking. Occupational exposure to pollutants compounds the likelihood a person will develop COPD.
Prevention:
The single best way to prevent COPD is to quit smoking, or if you do not smoke, never start. If your job exposes you to pollutants, talk with your doctor about how to lessen your changes of becoming ill.
Treatment:
COPD cannot be cured, however proper medical treatment can reduce the symptoms of the disease substantially. COPD patients should get Flu and Pneumonia vaccines, avoid air pollutants (including secondhand smoke) and quit smoking. A number of surgical options are being explored by experts that may improve the prognosis for COPD patients.
More Information:
For more information on COPD, visit the American Lung Association's COPD web page. You can also use the ALA COPD Profiler to help you and your physician choose the course of treatment that is right for you.
Online Resources
- Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals'
COPD website. You
can request "The
Experts Guide to Better Breathing". The guide is 48 pages of helpful COPD
tips and information you can use everyday.
- The
National Heart, Lung,
and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has developed a national campaign—Learn
More, Breathe Better—to increase awareness and understanding of COPD and
its risk factors and to underscore the benefits of early detection and
treatment in slowing the disease and improving the quality of life.
The American Lung Association is proud to be a partner in this campaign.
If you have COPD or think you may be at risk, you can take steps to make breathing easier and live a longer and more active life. Get a simple breathing test and talk with your doctor about treatment options that are right for you. Click below to learn more.
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