Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD) is the 4th leading cause
of death in the United States and causes serious
long term disability. Fortunately, with a
healthy lifestyle it is a preventable disease.
More than 12 million people are currently diagnosed
with COPD and an additional 12 million are likely to
have the disease and not know it.
In 2000, 119,000 deaths, 726,000 hospitalizations,
and 1.5 million hospital emergency department visits
were caused by COPD. An additional 8 million cases
of hospital outpatient treatment or treatment by
personal physicians were linked to COPD in 2000.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Most people who are at risk of getting COPD have
never heard of it . Risk
for COPD include:
SMOKING
COPD most often occurs in people age 40 and over
with a history of smoking (either current or former
smokers), although as many as 1 out of 6 people with
COPD never smoked. Smoking is the most common cause
of COPD.
ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE
COPD can also occur in people who have had long-term
exposure to things that can irritate the lungs, like
certain chemicals, dust, or fumes in the workplace.
Heavy or long-term exposure to secondhand smoke or
other air pollutants may also contribute to COPD.
GENETIC FACTORS
In some people, COPD is caused by a genetic
condition know as alpha-1 antitrypin, or AAT,
deficiency. While very few people know they have AAT
deficiency, it is estimated that to 100,000
Americans have it. People with ATT deficiency can
acquire COPD even if they have never smoked or had
long-term exposure to harmful pollutants.
What is COPD? -
COPD Facts -
COPD Symptoms |
