While it is known that 12 million have the disease, it is believed that as many as 24 million have the disease in some varying degree and are not aware that they have it. COPD is a very serious disease and is the third leading cause of death in the United States.
COPD Symptoms and Detection
COPD is not only preventable, but it is treatable as well, but you should know the symptoms associated with COPD in order to see if it is something you have to worry about. If you have trouble breathing or have shortness of breath, you may have COPD. Here are some of the other symptoms of this lung disease.
Constant coughing – a “smoker’s” cough
Shortness of breath while being active
Producing excessive sputum (phlegm or mucus)
Feeling as if you can’t breathe or take a deep breath
Wheezing
While having these symptoms does not automatically mean you have COPD, if you have any of these symptoms, you should speak with your doctor. The earlier a problem is detected, the easier it will be to treat.
Your doctor will have you take a test to detect whether or not you have COPD. The test, called Spirometry, is easy. All you have to do is breathe into a machine that will measure the amount of air you can blow out and how fast you can blow it. You will complete a health history and have other tests, such as a chest x-ray. If you are diagnosed with the disease, a treatment plan will be tailored to your needs.
Can Anyone Get COPD?
COPD is an equal opportunity disease that anyone can get, however, there are groups that are more at risk than others. The three main causes of COPD are:
Smoking
Air pollutants, irritants and fumes
Rare inherited condition
It is believed that smoking causes 80% to 90% of COPD cases that are diagnosed. If you smoke, quit. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. That is one of the best ways to prevent or treat COPD. If you do work around chemicals, factory smoke or other pollutants, wear a face mask or respirator to avoid breathing pollutants and irritants into your lungs.
Treatments for COPD
No one treatment plan will fit everyone who is diagnosed with COPD as everyone is different. However, the treatments that are available for COPD include:
Medications
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Oxygen Therapy
Nutrition
Surgery could be required in very rare cases
If you think you might have COPD, or if you think someone you care about does, you need to see your doctor for a diagnosis and to get a treatment plan set up. To learn more about the disease and its treatment options, visit the informational pages for Regenerative Medication Solutions at http://www.myregenmed.com/. You can find out more about your COPD treatment options and what you can expect from those options.