CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common lung diseases. COPD makes
it difficult to breathe.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors include the following:
- Exposure to certain gases or fumes in the workplace
- Exposure to second-hand smoke and pollution
- Frequent use of cooking fire without proper ventilation
- Cough, with or without mucus
- Many respiratory infections
- Shortness of breath that gets worse with mild activity, trouble catching one’s breath
- Over 3.7 million people in the United States live with emphysema.
- It is often associated with chronic bronchitis and a component of chronic obstructive pulmonary
- Most patients with severe emphysema find it increasingly difficult to perform daily activities such as
bathing, walking and sleeping.