Life for people with COPD is not easy. Everyday activities can be a physical, mental, and emotional challenge. Simple tasks like getting dressed or climbing a flight of stairs can leave a person with COPD out of breath and exhausted. Traveling with COPD is also burdening, as many patients require oxygen to breathe.
“With COPD, everything takes a little longer to do. This guide eases the stress of searching for information in the phone book or on the internet. It puts all the COPD resources in New York City right at your fingertips,” Dr. Schachter added.
Primary symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath and chronic cough, especially in the morning, and cough that produces sputum. Although there is no cure for COPD, it is manageable. Early diagnosis is key. People who show symptoms of COPD or have smoked for at least ten years are advised to consult their physician for appropriate diagnostic testing.
Smoking is the primary cause of COPD, accounting for up to 90 percent of all COPD deaths. Other risk factors include occupational hazards, air pollution, and second-hand smoke. In some cases, COPD is prevalent in families, and may be caused by a history of childhood respiratory infections and heredity. Research into the causes and cure for COPD is ongoing.
For those diagnosed with COPD, quitting smoking is an essential first step. This guide comes at an opportune time of year when people consider quitting smoking for their New Year’s Resolutions. To help people quit, the ALACNY offers Freedom From Smoking®, a series of clinics to help smokers kick the habit through positive behavioral change and group support. Several other smoking cessation resources are also listed in the guide.
At Ease with COPD: A New York City Resource Guide will be distributed to select medical care locations throughout New York City. To request a copy, call the ALACNY at 1-800-LUNG-USA or email copd@alany.org. For more information about COPD and the guide, visit American Lung Association, New York.
Related Story: The Freedom From Smoking Clinic
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