Nearly 16 million Americans live with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. Millions more don’t even know they have it.
The COPD Foundationa nonprofit organization that promotes research, advocacy and awareness to stop COPD and similar conditions, estimates that the number of Americans affected by COPD is as high as 30 millionsome of which are misdiagnosed with other respiratory conditions (such as asthma).
COPD encompasses multiple chronic lung diseases, including emphysema and bronchitis. Shortness of breath is the most common symptom of COPD, and sufferers may also experience constant fatigue and a chronic cough with or without mucus. Other symptoms may include wheezing or noisy breathing, difficulty breathing at rest or with exercise, and chest pain.
Although most cases of COPD are
caused by cigarette smokingThe association of COPD with smoking is one of the reasons why the disease is underdiagnosed, he stated Jean Wright, MD, MBAexecutive director of the COPD Foundation.
“There is a misconception that COPD is only a smokers’ disease or that it only affects older people,” Wright said. “Younger people can have COPD and not even know it. COPD can be caused by many factors, including environmental exposures, infections in childhood, exposures to chemicals or dust in the workplace, or genetics. Smoking is the number one cause of COPD, but there are many others as well.”
Who is most affected by COPD?
Certain groups are at higher risk of developing COPD and experience worse outcomes with the disease. Factors that affect COPD rates include:
Rural/urban environment: of the almost 16 million Americans living with a diagnosis of COPD, 2 million live in areas defined as rural. Rates of hospitalization and emergency room visits for COPD are also higher in rural areas.
“These people often have limited access to medical care and specialized COPD care, such as pulmonary rehabilitation programs,” Wright said. “People who live in rural areas often have more financial difficulties, which limits their ability to access quality health care.”
Racial background: Black, American Indian and Alaska Native People have higher rates of COPD than white people, while Asians and Hispanics have lower rates of COPD than their white counterparts, and genetics may play a role in the development of COPD. High rates of other health conditions.such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma, which are more common in certain races, may also contribute to racial disparities in COPD.
Some studies suggest that menthol cigarette smokers Patients with COPD have more severe symptoms than smokers of non-menthol cigarettes. Research has also shown links with targeted marketing of menthol-flavored cigarettes in black communities, and 8 in 10 African-American smokers use menthol cigarettes.
Social determinants of health: Individuals no college degree and lower income They have a higher incidence of COPD. Other causes of health disparities may be linked to disadvantages that come from systemic barriers to health care or employment or homes in areas with higher levels of environmental pollutants that may contribute to higher rates of COPD in certain populations.
Sex/gender:Women are more likely to have COPD than men, and more women die from COPD than men. This may be due to smaller airways in women, the effects of hormones such as estrogen, tobacco marketing directed at women, and missed diagnoses due to less recognition of the disease in women.
Read: Women and COPD >>
Age: Diagnoses and mortality rates are higher in older patients. More than 8 out of 10 deaths from COPD It occurs in people over 65 years of age.
Sexual orientation/gender identity: Higher rates of COPD are being reported among LGBTQ+ individualswith studies suggesting a correlation with higher rates of smoking in LGBTQ+ communities.
Living with COPD
Although there is no cure for COPD, there are treatments available to help improve quality of life, so it is important to get an accurate diagnosis as soon as possible.
People who experience the symptoms listed above, especially if they currently smoke or have smoked in the past, can ask their healthcare provider (HCP) for a COPD test. People who have had significant exposure over time to air pollution should also consider getting tested.
Healthcare professionals will evaluate a patient’s lung function through a spirometry testwhich involves breathing through a tube connected to a machine. The machine, known as a spirometer, will calculate how much air you expel in one second and how much you expel in its entirety. Additional tests may also be needed to confirm a diagnosis, such as an x-ray or CT scan.
Treatments, such as steroids, biologics, inhalers, and nebulizers, can help minimize COPD symptoms, giving patients more freedom to breathe and greater energy. While the treatments do not reverse existing lung damage, they can make it easier for patients to carry out their daily activities. The treatments can also help reduce hospitalizations and other health care visits that result from breathing difficulties or other problems.
COPD patients are also strongly encouraged to stop smoking or vaping if they have not already done so. Stay up to date on vaccines can help patients avoid further respiratory damage due to illnesses such as the flu or pneumonia.
People living with COPD should also consider pulmonary rehabilitation programs, which provide comprehensive support in a clinical setting to help them manage the physical and mental aspects of their condition. A program might include physical exercise, a dietary plan, mental health counseling, and medication management.
In more severe cases, surgical procedures may be necessary to remove damaged lung tissue or people may need to carry supplemental oxygen.
“The sooner someone is diagnosed with COPD, the sooner they can receive the care they need,” Wright said. “Treating COPD in the early stages can help slow the progression of the disease. COPD often worsens over time, but with proper treatment, the disease can be better controlled.”
This educational resource was created in partnership with the COPD Foundation and with the support of Regeneron and Sanofi.
From the articles on your site
Related articles on the Web
