Today is COPD Day, a day to take note of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and to ask yourself, ‘Am I always out of breath?’
What is it?
COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breath, and the person often feels out of breath. The primary cause of COPD is long-term exposure to irritants such as cigarette smoke (direct or second-hand), dust and chemicals, and workplace fumes. In the farming community one thinks of exposure to barn dust and fumes, bin dust, and chemicals used in spraying field and farm.
Shortness of breath, a chronic cough and wheezing are the most common symptoms.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the two most common types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which often occur together. Asthma is also under the banner of COPD.
Treatment for COPD include medications, pulmonary rehabilitation and lifestyle change to help manage the condition. Unfortunately, there is no cure.
Prairie Mountain Health wants us to think of this chronic lung condition today, on World COPD Day. The following is from the PMH website on this condition.
The 2025 theme for World COPD Day is “Short of Breath, Think COPD.”
World COPD Day takes place on November 19th. This year’s theme aims to emphasize that although COPD is the third leading cause of death worldwide, it is often not diagnosed correctly. COPD is a common, preventable, and treatable disease, but extensive under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis lead to patients receiving no treatment or incorrect treatment. Appropriate earlier diagnosis of COPD can have a very significant public health impact.
Earlier diagnosis and treatment results in better clinical outcomes, including improvements in symptoms, lung function and quality of life. A diagnosis of COPD should be considered in any patient who has shortness of breath, chronic cough or sputum production, a history of recurrent lower respiratory infections and/or a history of exposure to risk factors like tobacco, cooking fuels, or occupational hazards.
If you have questions about COPD or other chronic lung conditions like Asthma or Pulmonary Fibrosis – please contact the Lung Health Clinic 204-578-4203.
The Lung Health Clinic offers education & self-management skills to better manage chronic lung disease and live life to the fullest. The Lung Health Clinic also offers Pulmonary Rehab Classes for people living with chronic lung disease:
- In-depth education and exercise
- Free, 12-week course
- 2 sessions per year (Spring & Fall)
- Held Wednesday afternoons 1-4pm at BRHC
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