Good morning, this is your Wellness Wake Up Call with University of Illinois Extension.
Did you know Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States? More than 14 million adults have COPD and there many more who don’t know they have it. COPD is inflammation in the lungs that make it harder to breath. Damage to the lungs can’t be reversed, but the good news is, COPD can be prevented. It’s important to know the risk factors:
- Smoking- cigarette smoking is the number 1 cause of COPD in the United States. If you’re a smoker, please talk to your health care provider about cessation resources.
- Lung irritants- these may include air pollution, chemical fumes, dust, secondhand smoke, and particulates from cooking appliances to name a few. Tune in later this month for more information about improving your indoor air quality with some low and no cost habits.
- Age- people in their 40’s have higher rates of COPD than the overall population.
- Other underlying conditions- there are some conditions, like HIV, that can increase the risk of developing COPD.
If you have ongoing symptoms of COPD, including shortness of breath, ongoing cough, wheezing, chest tightness, and extreme fatigue, consider getting screened. This week, evaluate your risk factors of developing COPD and reach out to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns about your risk.
Thank you for listening! I hope you have a happy and healthy day ahead. The content for this episode was provided by Rachel Mannen, Nutrition and Wellness Educator for University of Illinois Extension.
Resources
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/copd
- https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/copd-learn-more-breathe-better
