Information on COPD

Looking for information on COPD? By some estimates up to 18 million people living in the United states have been diagnosed with COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The total number however may be at least twice as high as that if you include undiagnosed cases. Worldwide about 600 million are estimated to suffer from this lung disease.

The term COPD actually refers to two lung diseases, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These conditions both cause obstruction to the individuals airflow and that causes difficulty breathing. Both emphysema and chronic bronchitis frequently occur at the same time and physicians prefer to use the term COPD.

The condition is progressive and is generally caused by smoking. However air pollution, certain gases and other air partical pollutants have been cited as contributors to this and other similar lung diseases. Other contributors are a history of childhood lung infections and heredity.

Breathing difficulty, coughing and chest tightness are all symptoms of COPD. The ailments keep suffers awake at night which causes sleeplessness and fatigue. The condition can be managed however if there is early detection and individuals can lead good and healthy lives.