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Yet half of those with lung disease symptoms remain undiagnosed, experts say
Jump to full article: HealthDay [HealthScout], 2009-11-04
Author: SOURCE: U.S. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, news release, Nov. 2, 2009
Intro: Most Americans are aware of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but less than half know that the serious lung disease can be treated, according to national survey results released this week by the U.S. government as part of National COPD Awareness Month in November.
COPD affects 20 percent of U.S. adults over age 45. Half of the 24 million people in the United States with COPD remain undiagnosed even though they have symptoms, such as wheezing, chronic cough, or shortness of breath while doing activities that used to be easy.
Smoking causes 80 percent of cases of COPD (including chronic bronchitis and emphysema), while the remaining cases are caused by other environmental exposures or genetics.
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