Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease in which less air can flow in and out of the lungs. COPD has two main causes; emphysema and chronic bronchitis, and most patients have elements of both and in some cases asthma. Emphysema is a disease in which the alveoli lose their elastic quality, and the walls between the alveoli are destroyed. In chronic bronchitis, the lining of the airways becomes irritated and inflamed, which causes the lining to thicken and more mucus than usual forms in the airways, making it difficult to breath. Asthma is a disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing.

In the United States of America COPD is the third leading cause of death. COPD affects about 12 million individuals in the U.S. Many people may have the disease and do not know it. Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle aged or older people. More women than men in this country have died of the disease. COPD costs almost $30 billion in direct health care expenditures.

There are many causes of COPD. Smoking is considered the most common cause of COPD; a past or present history of smoking can cause COPD. Eighty percent (80%) of people diagnosed with COPD are smokers or were smokers. Less than 20% of people who have COPD have never smoked. COPD can be caused by long-term exposure to lung irritants. As well as heavy or long-term exposure to secondhand smoke or other air pollutants may also contribute to COPD. Working around certain kinds of chemicals, breathing in the chemical fumes for many years, working in a dusty area for many years, and heavy exposure to air pollution can cause COPD.

Another cause of COPD is a genetic...

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...lace with chemical irritants they should change jobs. Therefore, if a person has COPD, they must work with health care professionals to set up a plan for their diet and exercise, and determine what medications should be taken, if oxygen therapy would be beneficial, or if surgery is required. Life style changes can improve a person with COPD’s life.

COPD is a debilitating disease that diminishes a person’s quality of life. COPD does not have a cure and greatly impacts on the quality of life for the person with COPD and their family since they require constant medical help and support for the remainder of their life. After learning about COPD, I became more convinced of the dangers of smoking, second hand smoke, and the impact of pollutants. I believe that it is important for people to know about and understand COPD because millions of people are affected by COPD.