Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is estimated to affect 12 to 15 million people in North America. COPD is used to describe reoccurring bronchitis, emphysema or a combination of the two.
While COPD cannot be cured, it can be treated. Several new drugs and devices on the market have helped make the lives of patients with COPD much better.
Causes of COPD:
- Cigarette smoking
- Air pollution, occupational exposure to gases and dusts.
- Deficiency in alpha-1 antitrypsin (a lung protecting enzyme).
Signs and Symptoms:
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Morning cough or a severe and persistent cough
- Mucus production
- Emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis
Important Numbers and Websites:
American Lung Association: 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872)
or visit their website at www.lungusa.org
Social Security Administration: 1-800-772-1213
or visit their website at www.ssa.gov
Emphysema Foundation: 1-203-852-1009
or visit their website at www.emphysemafoundation.org
Asthma and Allergy Foundation: 1-800-7-ASTHMA (727-8462)
or visit their website at www.aafa.org
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute: 1-301-496-4236
or visit their website at www.nhlbi.nih.gov/index
Lung Disease Information Network: 1-206-329-6565
or visit their website at www.lungdz.com
COPD Support, Inc: www.copd-support.org
Care Internet, Cardiovascular and Respiratory Diseases
visit their website at www.careinternet.com
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
visit their website at www.cms.hhs.gov
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