Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease also referred to as COPD is the name that identifies a group of lung diseases. These diseases consist of bronchiectasis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and refractory asthma. An individual can have COPD for years and not know it. When the disease is in the early stages the symptoms are not completely mature and are barely discernible. As the disease matures and progresses the symptoms become more noticeable. Although millions of individuals are living with COPD, this disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States; and smoking, second-hand smoke, air pollutants, occupational dust, chemicals, and genetics are factors that can cause the disease for which there is no cure; however numerous treatments are available to help live an active and healthy life (COPD Foundation, 2010). Many people who have COPD are undiagnosed with the disease. Undiagnosis could derive from several reasons, which may include no health insurance, afraid to seek medical attention, or belief that the symptoms are of another illness such as a cold that will not go away. However, most cases of COPD are undiagnosed because of a lack of education concerning the disease. Many communities and employers fail to educate the public concerning diseases like COPD.I was surprised to find that the Dobbins Heights Community, Hamlet North Carolina in, which I reside, has no existing education program concerning COPD. The only source of COPD education and awareness offered to the public was found at the Birmingham Drugstore in Dobbins Heights. Birmingham Drugstore does offer free pamphlets containing information concerning COPD to the public. These finding completely disturbed me and I