Health Matters: Living With COPD

Nearly 14 million people in the country are living with COPD.

But even more Americans may be undiagnosed.

The lung disease COPD can cause coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

But according to the American Lung Association, between 10 to 15 million people still remain undiagnosed.

 
Most people don’t think about every breath they take, but when your lungs are unhealthy those breaths become much more apparent.
 
“It’s a combination of bronchitis which is inflammation of the airways in our lungs and emphysema,” says Essentia Health Pulmonologist, Dr. Karol Kremens.
 
For those who live with COPD, breathing becomes an issue, but not always right away.
 
“Lungs have a lot of reserve and the capacity for reserve really delays the diagnosis,” says Kremens.
 
COPD is most common in people between the ages of 40 and 60. Smokers and ex-smokers are most likely to develop the disease.
 
“If they are smokers or ex-smokers and are noticing their shortness of breath has become a problem it’s usually not a false alarm,” says Kremens.
 
Other risk factors include environmental exposure to dust, second hand smoke or other work related fumes.
 
“Sometimes patients who are really breathless can receive supplemental oxygen in the later stages of COPD,” says Kremens.
 
But Kremens says those living with the disease can still have an excellent quality of life, and even encourages his patients to stay active.
 
“They should exercise as much as they can, there is no limitation, the limitation comes from breathlessness,” says Kremens.
 
Kremens encourages anyone who is a smoker or ex-smoker and experiencing shortness of breath to schedule a visit with your primary care physician.