COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
More than 210 million people worldwide suffer the discomfort of strained breathing with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), according to the World Health Organization.
An umbrella term to cover emphysema and chronic bronchitis, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the world today, but is expected to be the third cause of death by 2030, according to an editorial in The Lancet.
And while COPD has been almost always attributed to smoking, Dr. Sundeep Salvi and Dr. Peter Barnes argue that smoking is not the biggest risk factor for the disease, according to reports dating back to 1963.
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) listed causes of the disease as tobacco smoke, occupational dusts and chemicals, indoor air pollution and outdoor air pollution. Other exposures include indoor pollution from biomass fuel, pulmonary tuberculosis and chronic asthma.
"Chronic asthma is also of interest because it carries a greater risk of developing COPD than that caused by smoking," states the Lancet. "If asthma development is on the increase around the world, COPD incidence is likely to increase as well, perhaps even more so than the current predictions."
Previous studies have linked occupational exposure to compounds that can lead to long-term severe respiratory problems, such as the link between asbestos and mesothelioma.
"Therefore, it is not a great leap to think that occupational exposures are also important risk factors for COPD," states the editorial.
http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/Disease/290820090931_asthma_greater_risk_for_copd_than_smoking_report.html
Interesting.
Breath Easy,
and
Hugs to all,
Holly
An umbrella term to cover emphysema and chronic bronchitis, COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the world today, but is expected to be the third cause of death by 2030, according to an editorial in The Lancet.
And while COPD has been almost always attributed to smoking, Dr. Sundeep Salvi and Dr. Peter Barnes argue that smoking is not the biggest risk factor for the disease, according to reports dating back to 1963.
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) listed causes of the disease as tobacco smoke, occupational dusts and chemicals, indoor air pollution and outdoor air pollution. Other exposures include indoor pollution from biomass fuel, pulmonary tuberculosis and chronic asthma.
"Chronic asthma is also of interest because it carries a greater risk of developing COPD than that caused by smoking," states the Lancet. "If asthma development is on the increase around the world, COPD incidence is likely to increase as well, perhaps even more so than the current predictions."
Previous studies have linked occupational exposure to compounds that can lead to long-term severe respiratory problems, such as the link between asbestos and mesothelioma.
"Therefore, it is not a great leap to think that occupational exposures are also important risk factors for COPD," states the editorial.
http://www.foodconsumer.org/newsite/Non-food/Disease/290820090931_asthma_greater_risk_for_copd_than_smoking_report.html
Interesting.
Breath Easy,
and
Hugs to all,
Holly
I still believe alot of it comes from smoking, but I had cronic asthma since the age of 6, lived in a high pollution area (wash. D.C.) and exposed to a lot of indoor pollution from working at the Pentagon (and other poorly maintained govt. buildings) for 21 years.
Hugs, Laurie
I personally think that people with Asthma who smoke are more pron than others to develop COPD.
I dont agree with the article in that Asthma is more of a risk than smoking.
as for guilt:
Life styles cause so many illnesses we know of today.
Heart disease as a result poor diet choices, high cholesterol and obesity as well as many of the cancers, and diabetes.
I dont think we need to feel anymore guilty then others who have made not so wise choices in life style.
I just hope the awareness we have today about preventable diseases makes the next generations healthier through better life choices.
We still have a shot at a good healthy life too if you follow the rules,
eat well and exercise
avoid breathing pollutants
get the flu shot and pneumonia shot
avoid people who are sick and keep our hands washed.
Keep a good attitude
Doing those things and taking our meds as prescribed improves our over all health and gives us a far better quality of life.
Life can still be pretty darn good with COPD.
Hugs to you and everyone here,
Breath Easy and enjoy your day,
Holly
I have been asthma all my life and now been told that I have COPD. All I know is that am very scared.