Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the collective term for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties including asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.

But, did you know that COPD is one the fourth leading cause of disease-related deaths in the U.S.? The condition actually affects up to 12 million Americans and although it is a quite common lung disease people still believe in many misconceptions surrounding it.

Therefore, to help you better understand the condition we’ve come up with the following list of myths and facts about COPD.

COPD Myths

1. A Smoker’s Disease

Even though smokers are more likely to develop and suffer from COPD, as well as other lung diseases, smoking isn’t the only cause of the disease. Indeed, one can get COPD as a result of secondhand smoke, long-term exposure to harmful fumes or dust, infections, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, and genetic factors.

2. An Old Person’s Disease

It is true that the risk of developing COPD increases as you get older, however, there are also some rare cases when the condition is diagnosed in people in their 20s or 30s. Plus, it’s also common for people in their 40s to develop COPD.

3. Affects the Lungs Only

Sadly, COPD can negatively affect other parts of the body, not only the lung tissue like emphysema and bronchitis. This is so because the condition limits the oxygen amount and the heart has to work harder to send oxygenated blood throughout the body. As a result, the vascular system suffers, and the risk for heart disease increases.

4. It Isn’t Treatable

Although there is currently no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, with the help of professionals COPD can be successfully treated and managed. There are numerous medications and treatment options that provide relief and improve patients’ quality of life.

COPD Facts

1. Shortness of Breath is the Main Symptom

As with other lung diseases, shortness of breath is the main COPD symptom. Other common symptoms include long-term and productive cough, excess mucus, wheezing, and chest tightness. In addition, COPD patients are more susceptible to suffering from colds and flu.

2. Early Diagnosis is Key

As is the case with many other diseases, early diagnosis is key in treating COPD because the earlier the patient starts getting treatment, the slower the progression of the disease. Therefore, as soon as you notice any breathing difficulty, seek medical help.

3. COPD Isn’t the Same as Asthma

COPD and asthma are similar but definitely not the same. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways with recurrent symptoms that come and go in episodes which isn’t the case in COPD. Plus, some asthma patients can also develop a form of COPD, but not all COPD patients have asthma.

4. Lifestyle Changes are Crucial

A crucial component of every COPD treatment plan involves lifestyle changes. All COPD patients should quit smoking (if they are smokers), avoid secondhand smoke, exercise regularly, keep healthy body weight, and stick to a nutritious and healthy diet if they want to improve their overall prognosis.

Conclusion

To conclude, COPD is a pretty common condition that, unfortunately, is surrounded by many myths and misconceptions. Luckily, understanding COPD and the myths and facts about it can help you make smart choices and manage the condition better.