Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Description: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to permanent lung damage, usually caused by smoking, in which there is an obstruction to air flow during exhalation. The two major diseases in this category are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Symptoms: Because smoking is overwhelmingly the cause of both diseases, they often develop together and frequently require similar treatments and approaches. Chronic bronchitis does not cause as much lung damage as emphysema. Both varieties of COPD cause low oxygen levels (hypoxia) and high levels of carbon dioxide (hypercapnia), which can lead to very severe and life-threatening conditions. In order to boost oxygen delivery, the body compensates in a number of ways: the rate of breathing is increased; more red blood cells are produced to increase the blood's oxygen-carrying capacity; the heart rate increases to pump more blood; and vessels in the lung constrict to force blood and oxygen through the circulatory system. Number of Americans diagnosed: An estimated 14 million people in the U.S. suffer from COPD. Long-term problems/treatments: Nearly half of those with COPD report that daily activities are limited. They have trouble walking upstairs or carrying even small packages. Breathing becomes hard work. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is progressive, although when patients stop smoking the disease often levels off. Directory List Choose an illness from the menu below: Select here Allergies Alzheimer's disease Arthritis Asthma Bipolar disorder Chronic back problems Chronic bronchitis Chronic obstructive        pulmonary disease Cirrhosis Depression Developmental disabilities Diabetes Emphysema Endometriosis Epilepsy Glaucoma Hearing impairment Heart disease Hepatitis C High blood pressure Human Immunodeficiency        Virus (HIV) Kidney disease Lou Gehrig's disease Lupus Lyme disease Migraine Multiple sclerosis Muscular Dystrophy Orthopedic Impairments Osteoporosis Paralysis of the extremities Parkinson's disease Psoriasis Schizophrenia Sinusitis Stroke Thyroid condition         Previous      Next Resources MedLine Plus Home | Awareness | Patient Files | The Challenge | Your Stories | Outreach | Resources About the Program | About Fred Friendly Seminars | Our Partners | Site Map | Credits © 2001 Fred Friendly Seminars, Inc.