COPD Awareness Month: Stopping an Invisible Epidemic
November is COPD Awareness Month. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, affects more than 30 million Americans. That’s 1 out of every 8 Americans over 45. It is the third leading cause of death worldwide. But many have never heard of it.
The COPD Foundation is dedicated to changing that.
What is COPD?
COPD includes several conditions, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Symptoms can include breathlessness, fatigue and chronic cough.
Damage to the air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs causes emphysema. The walls inside the alveoli disappear, turning small sacs into larger ones that do not transfer oxygen to the blood as well. Your airways become flabby, and air gets trapped in the lungs, making you feel short of breath.
Chronic bronchitis is a cough with mucus, lasting at least three months at a time for two years in a row. Bronchitis damages the bronchial tubes, making them irritated and swollen. The hair-like fibers in the bronchial tubes help move mucus out of the lungs. When those tiny hairs (or cilia) are lost, it is harder to cough mucus out of the lungs.
How do you get COPD?
There is a stigma that only smokers develop COPD. But it’s not just a smoker’s disease. Roughly 25% of people with COPD did not smoke.
COPD is also caused by genetics or irritants like smoke or pollution. It is estimated that by 2050, poor air quality will be the leading cause of COPD around the world. The fumes, chemicals and dust in different work environments – coal mining, firefighting and others – also contribute to developing COPD.
How do you know you have COPD?
Not all COPD is the same. The way symptoms impact your daily life and how they progress varies. That’s why it’s so important to get screened if you think you may have COPD or are in a higher-risk environment.
COPD is diagnosed through a lung function test called spirometry. A spirometry test measures how well your lungs are working.
Another good way to see if you should get tested for COPD? A birthday candle. Hold a birthday candle at arm’s length. If you can blow out the candle, you probably have good lung function. If you can’t blow it out, you should see a pulmonologist to get tested.
Many people do not realize they have COPD or do not notice symptoms until they are in a moderate stage of the disease. Early screening is important to help manage symptoms, slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.
If you have a history of COPD in your family, have been exposed to lung irritants over a long period of time, or are a current or former smoker, you should ask your doctors about testing for COPD.
Can I stay active with COPD?
Exercising may seem difficult if you are feeling short of breath with COPD. But continuing to move can change the way you breathe, feel and function. Exercise also can help improve your quality of life. Even moving slowly for just a few minutes a day can help stop fitness loss. The less you do, the less you are able to do.
Always check with your doctor before starting an exercise program or new activity.
What is Lace Up for Lungs?
Every November during COPD Awareness Month, the COPD Foundation and the broader lung health community plan a month of activities to increase awareness of COPD through advocacy and other activities. With the help of lung health champions everywhere, the Foundation is supporting research, early diagnosis and educational efforts to help those affected by COPD. Learn more about how you can get involved by getting active 30 minutes a day, starting a fundraiser, sharing on social media and more.
How do I learn more?
The COPD Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help millions of people live longer and healthier lives by advancing research, advocacy, and awareness to stop COPD, bronchiectasis and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease. For more information and resources, visit copdfoundation.org.
Note from the Editor:
Where can I get help with medication costs?
Some non-profit organizations, like Real World Health Care sponsor, HealthWell Foundation, provide financial assistance for medication copayments or insurance premiums so people living with life-altering conditions like COPD and Nontuberculous Mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease can start and stay on prescribed treatments. HealthWell offers assistance for a variety of diseases and conditions based on available funding. To monitor HealthWell’s COPD and NTM Funds, sign up for Real-Time Fund Alerts and receive instant notifications via text, email, or phone call, when the status of a fund changes. Visit: www.healthwellfoundation.org to learn more.
