The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2010) estimates that 3 million people in the US have COPD, many of whom are unaware of it and remain undiagnosed. COPD is also now the forth in line to the leading causes of death in the US. Smoking is the most influenced factor of the disease. Devereux (2011) found that approximately half of people who smoke will develop some form of fixed airflow obstruction. Due to the harmful pollutants being inhaled, the overproduction of mucus results from a non-ciliated trachea. This soon triggers a non-stopping cough. Also, the alveoli in the lungs will become enlarged, making it difficult for one to breathe. General symptoms of the disease include constant coughing (“smokers cough”), shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. As research for treatments are still ongoing, such as oxygen therapy, surgery, and bronchodilators, COPD can be managed but not treated yet to its full
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) (2010) estimates that 3 million people in the US have COPD, many of whom are unaware of it and remain undiagnosed. COPD is also now the forth in line to the leading causes of death in the US. Smoking is the most influenced factor of the disease. Devereux (2011) found that approximately half of people who smoke will develop some form of fixed airflow obstruction. Due to the harmful pollutants being inhaled, the overproduction of mucus results from a non-ciliated trachea. This soon triggers a non-stopping cough. Also, the alveoli in the lungs will become enlarged, making it difficult for one to breathe. General symptoms of the disease include constant coughing (“smokers cough”), shortness of breath, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. As research for treatments are still ongoing, such as oxygen therapy, surgery, and bronchodilators, COPD can be managed but not treated yet to its full