COPD? What's that?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease in which damaged lungs make it difficult to breathe. If you have COPD, your airways — the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs — are partly obstructed. This makes it difficult for you to breathe air in and out.

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute says that cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD, as most people who have it are either smokers or former smokers. However, over a long period of time, breathing other lung irritants — such as pollution, dust, or chemicals — can also cause or contribute to COPD.

Quick facts about COPD

• It develops slowly and may take years before symptoms can be detected.
  
• It is most likely to be diagnosed in middle-aged or older adults.
  
• In 2004, it was estimated that 11.4 million adults had COPD and 24 million had evidence of impaired lung function.
  
• It is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. and throughout the world.
  
• It has no cure. The damage done to your airways cannot be reversed, but the disease can be treated to improve quality of life.
• It is NOT contagious.  

The COPD portion of the Health Plan’s Respiratory Health Management program focuses on:

• Assessing and monitoring the disease
  
• Reducing risk factors
  
• Managing stable COPD
  
• Managing exacerbations