Did you Know that an estimated 2.8 million Americans have been diagnosed with emphysema sometime in their life. In 2000, COPD ranked 4th among the leading causes of death in the US, accounting for 122,009 deaths. Cigarette smoking is the most important risk factor for COPD, 80% - 90% of COPD is due to smoking. There is a close relationship between lung cancer and COPD. C.O.P.D. or commonly referred to as Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), also known as chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD), is an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases, encompassing emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic asthma. The common characteristics of COPD are progressive limitations of the airflow into and out of the lungs and shortness of breath. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are closely related and persons with COPD may have both, which impair lung function, preventing the lungs from doing their job of bringing oxygen to the body and getting rid of carbon dioxide. Some with COPD may also have an 'asthma-like' or reactive component. Emphysema involves destruction of the walls of the small air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a chronic cough and chronic mucus production. Smoking is the main cause of COPD, but other environmental and industrial pollutants can also result in COPD in someone who has never smoked. Passive exposure to cigarette smoke also can contribute to respiratory symptoms and COPD. The other causes of COPD include occupational dusts and chemicals (vapors, irritants, fumes), and indoor air pollutions from some fuels used for cooking and heating in poorly vented dwellings. Outdoor air pollution adds to the burden of inhaled particles, although to what degree is unknown. When smoke and/or other noxious irritants travel deep into the lungs, the small alveoli are destroyed, leaving larger air sacs that function less effectively, marking the early stages of COPD. Respiratory infections in early childhood also are associated with reduced lung function and increased respiratory problems in adulthood, which can lead to COPD. There also is a rare, inherited form of emphysema known as alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, which causes COPD. COPD Definition (from the National Lung Health Education Program (NLHEP). COPD is a group of diseases that includes chronic bronchitis, mphysema, and asthmatic bronchitis. The common characteristic of these diseases is obstruction to airflow out of the lungs and the common symptom is shortness of breath. In the US, 90% of COPD is due to smoking.
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