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| Copd Emphysema |
Question:
What is COPD and how is emphsema related to it?
Answer:
COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and is a grouping of deseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema that evolves over a period of time.
Affecting an estimated two million Americans, emphysema is a chronic
respiratory condition, nearly always caused by the destruction of lung
tissue by toxins contained in cigarette smoke. This in turn leads to
chronic overinflation of the lungs, greatly decreasing their ability to
function.
As the disease progresses, breathing becomes increasingly difficult. In
its most severe stage, virtually any physical activity becomes extremely
difficult, if not impossible.
Since long-term smoking of cigarettes or other tobacco
products causes the overwhelming number of cases of emphysema, the only
effective way to slow the progression of emphysema is to quit smoking.
As noted, emphysema does not suddenly occur. It develops over a long
period of time. Unfortunately, many sufferers ignore their condition
until it becomes serious, at which point treatment options are less
effective.
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