Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD is a very common disease that effects more than 12 million individuals in the United States. COPD is a term used to describe patients with emphysema, chronic bronchitis or a combination of both. Symptoms of COPD include:
- Shortness of breath with activity or while resting
- Wheezing Chest tightness
- A daily or almost daily cough cough that produces mucus
AWARENESS EVENTS
November 3, 17 and 28
'Roadshows' for COPD Awareness:
Screening for COPD will be held on Nov. 3, 17 and 28 with Spirometry testing opportunities on Nov 17. Screenings will take place at:
Martha Morehouse Medical Plaza-Pavilion
2050 Kenny Road, Suite 1010
Columbus, Ohio 43221
November 4
Great American Screen Off:
http://www.drive4copd.com/
November 16
National COPD Awareness Day:
Wear your Orange and Blue
November 17
Great American Smoke Out:
http://www.quitsmoking.com/kopykit/reports/smokeout.htm
LEARN MORE ABOUT COPD
Why COPD? Why Now?
- While other major causes of death have been decreasing, COPD mortality has continued to rise.
- COPD is now the 3rd leading cause of death.
- 12 million Americans are diagnosed with COPD; research shows that many do not get optimal treatment.
- An additional 12 million Americans may have COPD and remain undiagnosed.
- Recent advances in treatment for COPD offer real opportunities to improve your patient's quality and length of life.
Risk Factors
- Look for COPD in patients who are over 40 and have:
- Persistent or progressive dyspnea
- Chronic cough or sputum production
- Decline in level of activity
- COPD is more likely if there is a history of smoking.
- Genetic factors and environmental or occupational exposures may also play a role: as many as one out of six Americans with COPD has never smoked.
