Ward 1

Jamori Ward
Mrs. Hensel
English IV
10 April 2015

Research Paper
In the United States humans are affected by hundreds and thousands of diseases.
Lung disease is one of the most dangerous diseases in the world. Cases such as these are growing
more popular. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of
death in the United States. COPD is a lung disease which worsens over time and can affect a
humans lifestyle, health and mental stability.

COPD is a disease that is a common disease and has affected a surplus of Americans. The
statistics are available in which it shows the gender and the age range of a victim with COPD.
The death rate from COPD rose 44.5 percent between 1979 and 1997, an increase that was the
highest among the top ten causes of death in the United States (Ramer). About 12 million adults
were diagnosed with COPD in the United States in the past year or two (Gale). Point Men are
more prone to get COPD than women. Men have been more likely than women to receive a
diagnosis of emphysema. Yet, in 2011 more women reported a diagnosis of emphysema than
men. Women are about twice as likely to be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis as men. In 2011,

Ward 2

3.3 million men had a diagnosis of chronic bronchitis compared to 6.8 million women
(Decramer).

Symptoms start to show immediately after getting the disease. Short of breath is the
number one symptom Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is variety of lung diseases that
block airflow and make it strenuously to breathe. Worsened shortness of breath that causes the
patient to breathe faster and harder. This is the most common and distressing acute symptom
(A.D.A.M). COPD can also affect the body mentally. About 76% reported that they had been
given a diagnostic breathing test, 64.2% felt that shortness of breath impaired their quality of life
and felt uncomfortable. 55.6% were taking at least one daily medication for their COPD.A
limitation in daily activities also occurs; many have trouble walking up stairs or carrying even
small packages. More than half of patients with COPD have insomnia and that is involved in
impairment in quality of life and can negatively affect ones mood.

There are many ways that you can get COPD. Smoking is the number one cause of the
disease. COPD often is associated with a history of cigarette smoking and is the primary
contributor to mortality caused by chronic lower respiratory diseases, which became the third
leading cause of death in the United States in 2008 (Decramer). Experts estimate, however, that
more than half of people with impaired lung function go undiagnosed. COPD can not only be
derived from smoking and Workers exposed for a long time to toxic chemicals (such as silica or
cadmium), industrial smoke, dust, or other air pollutants are at increased risk for COPD
(A.D.A.M).Some patients, even if their symptoms are severe, mistake their condition as a natural
part of aging, or blame lack of fitness, and fail to seek medical evaluation. There are ways to

Ward 3

prevent COPD. Stay away from people that smoke cigarettes Avoid exposure to secondhand
smoke. Make smart decisions that will lead to a healthier quality of life is to not start smoking or
to quit smoking. Smoking is the leading cause of this disease. Chemicals can cause COPD if
inhaled so many times. Other airway irritants such as air pollution, chemical fumes, and dust and
could also make the disease worse, but they are far less important than smoking in causing the
disease. Regard avoiding the visits to the doctor is another way to prevent this disease and many
others.

Treatments are available for better breathing and quality of life. Inhalers help the flow of
oxygen from and to the lungs to the heart that is needed. Supplemental oxygen is an important
component COPD therapy. It can Improve exercise endurance, Improve quality of life and
mental outlook and Improve sleep. A nutritionist can be extremely helpful in finding the right
foods and creating meal plans to help COPD patients be as healthy as possible (A.D.A.M).
Medicine cures the pain when it is present and could help mentally. Anticholinergic agents relax
the bronchial muscles. They are generally inhaled and act as a bronchodilator over time. The
medication helps improve breathlessness, ability to exercise, and quality of life. Long-acting
beta2-agonists salmeterol and formoterol are proving to be particularly effective as long-term
maintenance therapy for COPD.

COPD will be here as long as we live. COPD can be prevented and also treated in many
different ways but will most definitely get worse over time. That is why a change is needed.
There are too many young people and too many older people with this disease. There air is
polluted with cigarette smoke and the probability to get the disease is high. As long as healthier

Ward 4

and better decisions are made COPD will no longer be popular in the human race and there could
also be better breathing and a better cure.

Ward 5
Works Cited

A.D.A.M, "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia." U.S National
Library of Medicine. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 26 Apr. 2014. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

Decramer, John L. "Chronic Respiratory Diseases." Encyclopedia of Public Health. Ed. Lester
Breslow. Vol. 1. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. Nursing Resource Center. Gale.
Discus. 10 Apr. 2015
Gale, William, "Emphysema." Encyclopedia of Public Health. Ed. Lester Breslow. Vol.
2. Detroit: Macmillan Reference USA, 2002. Nursing Resource Center. Gale. Discus. 10 Apr.
2015
Ramer, Elizabeth W, and Tish Davidson, A.M. "Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease." Gale
Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Laurie J. Fundukian. Vol. 2. 4th ed. Detroit: Gale, 2011.
Nursing Resource Center. Gale. Discus.