Uploaded October 2020 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
November is recognized as National COPD Awareness Month. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Common symptoms that people often mistake as normal signs of aging include wheezing, shortness of breath, ongoing cough, chest tightness or a combination of all reports the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
COPD actually refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Most people who have COPD have both conditions, but the severity of each can vary from person to person.
According to the NHLBI, more than 17 million Americans are diagnosed with COPD and it is estimated that millions more don’t realize they have it. It is also a leading cause of death (ranked 4th) in the United States. Across the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that COPD affects 251 million people.
NHLBI states that being a smoker or former smoker and long-term exposure to lung irritants are common risk factors for COPD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 4 people with COPD have never smoked and that exposure to air pollutants at home (secondhand smoke), at work (fumes), genetic factors and respiratory infections also play a role. This is why the agency states that the most important aspect of treatment for COPD is avoiding tobacco smoke and other air pollutants.
These are just a few of the many things to know about National COPD Awareness Month. To learn more about exposure to airborne pollutants, respiratory irritants, allergens and asthma triggers, or other environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
November is recognized as National COPD Awareness Month. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a serious lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. Common symptoms that people often mistake as normal signs of aging include wheezing, shortness of breath, ongoing cough, chest tightness or a combination of all reports the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).
COPD actually refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Most people who have COPD have both conditions, but the severity of each can vary from person to person.
According to the NHLBI, more than 17 million Americans are diagnosed with COPD and it is estimated that millions more don’t realize they have it. It is also a leading cause of death (ranked 4th) in the United States. Across the globe, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that COPD affects 251 million people.
NHLBI states that being a smoker or former smoker and long-term exposure to lung irritants are common risk factors for COPD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1 in 4 people with COPD have never smoked and that exposure to air pollutants at home (secondhand smoke), at work (fumes), genetic factors and respiratory infections also play a role. This is why the agency states that the most important aspect of treatment for COPD is avoiding tobacco smoke and other air pollutants.
These are just a few of the many things to know about National COPD Awareness Month. To learn more about exposure to airborne pollutants, respiratory irritants, allergens and asthma triggers, or other environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. emsl.com
LA Testing latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental zimmetry.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine healthyindoors.com
