Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

 Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD for short, is the medical term used to describe diseases of the lung that are associated with airway obstruction. The two major diseases that are included in the category of COPD are:

• Chronic bronchitis - an inflammatory condition of the bronchi characterized by coughing and expectoration (spitting-up) of sputum (mucous coughed-up from the lungs) occurring on most days and lasting 3 months or longer for at least two consecutive years.

• Emphysema - a respiratory disorder that is characterized by enlargement of the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs, through which oxygen passes from the lungs into the bloodstream.

Although asthma is also a condition that is associated with airway obstruction, and many people with COPD also suffer with asthma, as a general rule, asthma is not included under the category of COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, debilitating lung disease, however, with early diagnosis, lifestyle changes (e.g., smoking cessation), and appropriate treatment, many people can lead relatively normal and productive lives.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) usually occurs in people age 35 or older who are current or former smokers. Signs and symptoms of COPD include:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Tightness in the chest
• Sputum production
• Recurrent respiratory infections
• Impaired exercise tolerance

The goals of treatment of patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) include:

• Maintaining optimal health
• Preventing progression of disease
• Preventing complications
• Improving control of symptoms
• Enabling the patient to function to the greatest extent possible
• Improving quality of life

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• What are the risk factors of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?
• What standard and alternative treatment options are available?
• Where are the leading doctors, hospitals and medical centers that specialize in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease research and treatment?
• What are the results of the latest clinical trials?
• Where are the support groups and additional resources in my area?
• What are the promising new treatments on the horizon?

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