If you think that you have any of the symptoms of COPD then we strongly advise you to contact you physician as soon as possible.  Early treatment can be very effective so it is imperative that you get diagnosed (or the possibility of COPD excluded) as fast as you can.

So what exactly is COPD?

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  In fact, it is a bit of an umbrella terms for a number of health conditions affecting the lungs.  Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the primary types but some physicians also include chronic (irreversible) asthma and bronchiectasis. COPD is defined by the Gold Report on COPD as persistently poor air flow to the lungs which in turn is caused by a breakdown of the lung tissue.

The World Health Authority estimates that COPD is the 6^th highest cause of death on the globe.  It may also increase with the rise in air pollution (tobacco smoke and car fumes for example) and longer life expectancies.

The most common symptoms of COPD are:-

a)      Breathlessness when moving or taking exercise

b)      Constant cough

c)       Regular production of mucus

d)      Regular chest infections

e)      Constant wheezing

One of the main causes of COPD is smoking tobacco and breathing other types of air pollution.  If you do smoke you will be asked to give up the habit.  For more information please go to https://patienttalk.org/?p=495.    It is worth noting that there is a genetic aspect to COPD as well.

Do you have COPD?

If so we would love it if you could tell us a bit more about your journey. Please feel free to use the comments box below to add anything you think might be of interest to our readers.

Thanks very much in advance.