whAT is is COPD
By: Barb Keck
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-term, slow progressive lung disease that develops due to low oxygen levels in the bloodstream. It affects mostly people that smoke, making breathing difficult, along with coughing and wheezing. Forms of COPD include emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
When it comes to emphysema, the disorder destroys the tiny air sacs in the lungs, making the lungs incapable of exchanging oxygen for carbon dioxide. Common symptoms are coughing, wheezing and excess mucous production.
Bronchitis is defined as a long-term inflammation of the bronchi, stimulating the production of mucous within the airways. Symptoms of the disorder include frequent shortness of breath, appearance of blue lips and swelling of the feet.
Approximately 30 million people in the United States live with COPD, but only 16 million know that they have it.
A lack of awareness leaves many COPD sufferers misdiagnosed. When awareness of COPD is increased, diagnosis can be improved in the earlier stages of the disease.
