Do you have COPD?

If you develop shortness of breath faster than you should, you cough frequently, and are also a smoker, you may indeed have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary (Lung) Disease, or COPD. The term COPD refers mainly to chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema. More than 80% of COPD is caused by cigarette smoking, with the remainder caused by genetic factors (alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency), industrial exposure (e.g., coal mining) and questionably air pollution.

COPD is a progressive disease, responsible for an enormous strain on the national healthcare budget, on the work place, and on one's personal well being. More than 12 million Americans are now known to have COPD, and many more have the "hidden" disease. COPD is the fifth leading cause of mortality in the US, and its economic burden is even higher.

The sooner COPD is diagnosed and treated, the better it is. Lives can be saved, jobs can be spared, and extra medical expenses avoided.

So, if you have shortness of breath, smoker or not, make sure COPD is not a factor. Don't delay, see your doctor, you won't regret it!