Breathing Problems that Won't Go Away? it Might Be COPD

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. The condition can cause serious and long-term disability. Many people do not know they have COPD. For this reason, learning the signs of COPD is important.

The most common sign of COPD is breathing difficulty, which can get worse over time. In addition, COPD can cause coughing with large amounts of mucus, wheezing sounds during breathing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Severe COPD may even prevent a person from doing normal activities, such as walking or cooking.

COPD is a general term for conditions that cause breathing difficulties, which gets worse over time. In the United States, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI), COPD includes two main conditions-emphysema and bronchitis. With emphysema, the airways and air sacs, which are normally elastic, are damaged and do not bounce back the way they used to. In bronchitis, the airways become thick and produce too much mucus, which can make breathing hard or difficult.

The National Institutes of Health states that the leading cause of COPD in the United States is cigarette smoking. However, other lung irritants can contribute to the development of COPD as well, such as air pollution, fumes from chemicals, and heavy dust.

Dr. Gail G. Weinmann, deputy director of the Division of Lung Diseases at NIH's National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute said that smokers and ex-smokers account for most cases of COPD in the United States. "People don't realize that, even if they quit smoking years ago, they could still be at risk and should talk to their doctors about it," says Weinmann.

Currently, there is no cure for COPD. Experts have not yet found a way to reverse the damage done by COPD. However, treatments are available to make a person feel better and stay more active. Treatments may include medications, vaccines, oxygen therapy, surgery, and pulmonary therapy.

Getting proper treatment and practicing a good lifestyle may delay the progression of the disease.

The best way to prevent the development of COPD is not to start smoking or quit smoking before the disease develops. Also, one should avoid secondhand smoke and lung irritants like air pollution, chemical fumes, and heavy dust. People who work with chemicals that emit heavy fumes or work in environments with high occurrence of dust should wear protective tools or gadgets like face-masks.

Sources:

Breathing Problems? Learn to Recognize the Symptoms of COPD (November 2009). National Institutes of Health (NIH) News in Health.

What is COPD? (March 2009). National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)