MOUNT VERNON – Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that, over time, can make it hard to breathe. Because November is National COPD Awareness Month, Knox Community Hospital is bringing attention to this topic because education and understanding often mean prevention and better treatment options.
People with COPD may become short of breath during everyday activities; they may also cough frequently and wheeze and often are unable to take a deep breath – among other symptoms. Typically, these symptoms get worse over time. Unfortunately, many people do not know they have COPD since the symptoms seem common or are dismissed as part of getting older. A common, noninvasive test of lung function called a spirometry can detect COPD before symptoms worsen. This test measures the amount of air you can blow out of your lungs and how fast you can blow it out. Additionally, the spirometry results can help determine the best course of treatment.
If you think that you or a loved one may be at risk for COPD, here are four simple things you should do, according to the National Institutes of Health:
- Quit smoking. Local resource: https://www.knoxhealth.com/index.php/public-health-issues2/tobacco-cessation.
- Avoid exposure to pollutants.
- Visit your health care provider regularly, and bring a list of your breathing symptoms and activities that are becoming difficult.
- Protect yourself from the flu and COVID-19.
kch.org/respiratory-care-services
With early diagnosis and treatment, people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can improve their quality of life and breathe better.
