What is COPD?
COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a long-term disease that affects the lungs. The most common cause of COPD is smoking, although there are cases of nonsmokers with the condition, as well.
COPD is actually a "blanket" diagnosis that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, among other lung diseases.
It is estimated that 1.5 million Canadians and 24 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD.
COPD sufferers will tell you that it feels like they're breathing through a straw.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- shortness of breath
- increased mucus (phlegm) and coughing
- a barrel-shaped chest
- wheezing
- frequent and long-lasting lung infections such as pneumonia
- fatigue
- losing weight without trying
Many people consider these symptoms normal with aging, but they're not. If you are experiencing or have experienced any of these symptoms in combination, talk to your doctor.
Diagnosis
The normal diagnostic tool for determining whether or not a person has COPD is a spirometer. A person will blow into a tube and the machine will measure how long it takes for a person to blow all the air out of their lungs.
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