Have you ever coughed so hard that you were unable to catch your breath. Or cough because you’ve had phlem stuck in your throat for days? How about when you walk up a short flight of stairs and you can’t catch your breath and start wheezing? These are the things that someone with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD deals with on a daily basis.
Understanding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Long time smokers are a higher risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD than people who do not smoke. It’s a disease of the lungs and there is no cure. Once you contract a form of COPD, either emphysema or bronchitis, all you can do is take medication to lessen your symptoms. Many people who suffer from COPD require oxygen and are easily susceptible to colds and flus. In advanced age, this could be detrimental to the person’s life. The following are the symptoms of COPD:
- Coughing up mucous
- Difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
If you think you may have COPD, contact your doctor to find out for sure. The best way to prevent COPD is to quit smoking.
The experience of someone with COPD:
Photo Courtesy of: Joe Crawford (artlung) on Flickr
Wed, Dec 2, 2009
Pulmonary Disorder