November Is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month!!

What is COPD?
COPD is a progressive lung disease that causes people to become short of breath when trying to climb stairs, carry groceries and other ordinary activities of daily living. Progressive means that the disease gets worse over time. COPD is a complicated disease requiring intensive treatment for the symptoms related to it.

Why is COPD Important?  
‍It is important as COPD usually develops slowly and symptoms become worse over time. Eventually people with COPD may be unable to do routine activities. Severe COPD may prevent people from doing even basic activities like walking, cooking, or taking care of themselves.

‍What conditions may cause COPD?

What are some symptoms of COPD?

What Treatment Is Available?

Explore Your Resources!

• Over 30 million people (12%)  in the US are diagnosed with COPD
• It is the 4th leading cause of death in the US and causes major disability
• Many more people may have the disease and not even know it.

• Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD.
• Second hand smoke.
• Exposure to irritants in the environment such as pollution or chemical pollution.

• Frequent coughing or wheezing.
• Excess phlegm or sputum.
• Shortness of breath.
• Trouble taking a deep breath.

• Stop smoking. This is very important, join a smoking cessation program can help.
• Avoiding tobacco smoke and other air pollutants at home and at work.
• Medication. Symptoms such as coughing or wheezing can be treated with medication.
• Talk to your doctor about getting a flu shot and Pneumovax vaccination to help prevent lung infections.

• Visit https://www.nih.gov/
• Visit www.pchc.org to see the COPD Health Promotion Activity Plan (HPAP)