Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)---a life-threatening respiratory illness---is the fourth leading cause of death. Awareness of this deadly killer is rising, but many people still do not understand how dangerous it is.
Ignoring the facts
People who smoke and those at risk for other reasons (genetics and environment) are not talking to their doctors about COPD. A government survey showed that 41 percent of current smokers do not talk to their doctors about possible COPD symptoms because they do not want to be told to stop smoking.
Denial will only serve to increase the rates of COPD, which currently affects 1 in 5 people, over the age of 45. People who smoke are at a high risk of developing COPD. Thank goodness, at least their awareness of COPD has increased from 69 to 74 percent since last year. Unfortunately, only half of all adults understand that the disease can be treated. A diagnosis is not a death sentence, but quitting cigarettes is crucial.
November brings important focus to smoking
It is no accident that National COPD Awareness Month and the Great American Smokeout are both held in November because the first thing people with COPD need to do is stop smoking! Eight out of 10 cases of COPD are caused by smoking, with diagnoses as early as age 40.
What is COPD?
COPD, referred to as chronic bronchitis or emphysema, is a serious lung disease affecting 24 million American men and women. However, half of them remain undiagnosed despite recognizable symptoms such as shortness of breath while doing activities that used to be easy, wheezing, or chronic cough (sometimes called a "smoker's cough.")
COPD Treatments
Physicians agree that available treatments can optimize quality of life for COPD patients, but patients must be aware and not deny symptoms or the disease can progress to serious stages requiring oxygen. The key is to get tested and start treatment as soon as possible.
How is COPD diagnosed?
COPD is diagnosed with a simple noninvasive breathing test called spirometry, which can be conducted in a doctor's office. Taking the test involves breathing hard and fast into a tube connected to a machine which measures the total amount of air exhaled, called the forced vital capacity or FVC, and how much air is exhaled in the first second, called the forced expiratory volume in one second or FEV1.
For More Information: NHLBI Learn More, Breathe Better
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