COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
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In the United States, COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is the 4th leading cause of death and is a major cause of disability. Over 15 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD. Because COPD develops slowly, many people also have the disease and are not yet aware of it. The symptoms of COPD get worse over time and can hamper your ability to do even everyday activities like walking, driving or chores.
A disease that affects the functioning of the lungs and the ability to breathe, COPD is a combination of emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Each of these lung diseases are progressive and become worse and worse over time.
The purpose of the lungs is to exchange carbon dioxide for oxygen. COPD causes the airways and air sacs of the lungs to lose stretchiness and eventually collapse. The air sacs can no longer expand and contract and eventually the walls between the sacs break forming one big sac out of many smaller ones. This drastically reduces the efficiency of the lungs and makes it much more difficult to breathe.
The second part of COPD, chronic bronchitis, causes the airways of the lungs to become irritated and inflamed. The lining of these airways becomes filled with mucus and breathing becomes more and more difficult. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis combine to make up the condition commonly known as COPD.
By a wide margin, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD are smokers or former smokers. Other factors that may lead to COPD are exposure to chemicals or dust and high levels of air pollution.
There are some new treatments being developed that hold out some hope for the treating of COPD but unfortunately, there is currently no cure. Changes in lifestyle, like smoking cessation, can help COPD sufferers feel better and can help to slow down the advance of the symptoms of the disease.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
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