Healthy Living Tips from
The New Jersey Police Chief Magazine | November 2023
What You Need to Know about COPD Smoking is the Primary Cause
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD ) is an umbrella term for lungs with persistent diminished capacity and function caused by other lung-compromising conditions such as emphysema or chronic bronchitis , the two primary components of COPD , according to the American Lung Association .
Breathing is the body ’ s way of getting oxygen into the blood . Normally , lungs take in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide . When a patient has COPD , movement of air into and out of the lungs is limited .
COPD makes it hard to breathe . Pulmonologist Howard Waksman , MD , explains , “ COPD is essentially broken down into things like emphysema , where the problem occurs because of the destruction of lung tissue or chronic bronchitis where the condition is largely limited to the airways .”
If ignored , COPD will only get worse over time . There are more than 3 million new cases of COPD diagnosed each year in the United States .
It is important to notice early symptoms of COPD such as : |
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Persistent phlegmy cough , referred to as “ smoker ’ s cough ” |
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Chest tightness |
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Wheezing |
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Shortness of breath that worsens with activity |
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Trouble catching one ’ s breath |
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Fatigue |
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Frequent respiratory infections |
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The best test for COPD is a lung function test called spirometry . This involves blowing out as hard as possible into a |
small machine that tests lung capacity . |
A blood test called arterial blood gas may also be done to measure the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood .
Smoking Causes COPD The main cause of COPD and its component diseases is cigarette smoking . While every individual is different , it is never too soon to kick the habit . Quitting smoking improves the prognosis at any stage .
For more information , visit www . demanddeborah . org or call 855.856.7146 .
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Pulmonologist Howard Waksman , MD