What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) refers to a number of chronic lung disorders that obstruct the airways. The most common cases of COPD include diseases such as Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema, and in some cases, Asthma.

Currently, some estimates place the number of COPD patients to be around 600 million people worldwide, and COPD is expected to be the third most common cause of loss of human life by the year 2020. COPD is currently the 4th leading cause of loss of life, illness, and disability in the United States and the world.

What causes COPD?

Smoking is the most common risk-factor for COPD. In addition to cigarette smoking, occupational exposure to air-pollutants (dusts) and possibly outdoor air pollution, asthma, and genetics are also known to cause COPD.

Is COPD Contageous?

No. COPD is not contagious -it is not spread from person to person.

How wide-spread is this disease?

During the year 2000 -in the United States alone -over 10 million adults were diagnosed with COPD. Again, COPD is the 4th leading cause of loss of life, illness, and disability in the United States and through out the world.

Is there a cure for COPD?

There is no cure for COPD. The damage to lung, airways and air-sacks is not reversible. The treatment usually focuses on improving quality of life for the COPD patients.

What are the treatments for COPD?

COPD Treatment usually involves the following:

• Avoiding tobacco smoke
• Eliminating air pollutants from the patient’s home or workplace.
• Medication for coughing, wheezing, etc.
• Combating opportunistic infections with the help of antibiotics.
• Oxygen Therapy - Improving blood oxygen levels by administering supplimental oxygen using portable oxygen tanks.
• SPIRIVA® -a prescription drug manufactured by Boehringer Ingelheim and co-promoted worldwide by Pfizer -is also now being prescribed for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Is COPD Preventable?

To a great extent, YES. Early detection is known to greatly improve the prognosis of a COPD patient. Giving up smoking, eliminating/avoiding air pollutants, and preventing/containing respiratory infections go a long way in preventing COPD.

Don't forget to check out Lung Disease Treatment News section of this website for the latest Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) Treatment News, and our Lung Disease Articles Library for the latest Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) related Articles.

Note: Consult a qualified medical practitioner if you suspect lung disease. Information published at this mesothelioma lung disease asbestos cancer forum - or most other websites for that matter - should not be relied upon for health decisions. The information presented on this web site is not intended as a substitute for medical care, medical, legal, or professional advise. Please talk with your healthcare provider for all your health concerns.