SMOKING AND COPD

    If you are a smoker or affected by secondhand smoke you may be concerned about chronic lung disease.  More than twelve million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), a progressive lung disease which blocks airflow and interferes with a person's ability to breathe.  This declining lung function is often caused by chronic bronchitis and/or emphysema.  In addition to the twelve million eople diagnosed, it is believed an additional twelve million Americans have the disease but are undiagnosed.  Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that COPD is the third-leading cause of death in American adults.

    Five out of six people with the condition are either current or former smokers.  Cigarette smoking is believed to cause between 80% to 90% of all cases of COPD.  But the risk can also be increased by long-term cigar or pipe smoking.  The World Health Organization estimates that secondhand smoke also known as passive smoking increases the risk of developing COPD by 10% to 45% depending on the level of exposure.   

   Although other causes such as long-term exposure to severe air pollution either in some of the major cities or in hostile work environments where chemicals and dust may increase COPD risk, smoking is the most prevalent cause of chronic cough, wheezing, excess sputum production and.or shortness of breath. which characterize COPD.

    Becoming a healthy non-smoker is the best way to protect yourself from COPD.  If you are a smoker who wants the best chance to regain close to normal lung function, quit smoking sooner rather than later before the disease progresses.  Hypnotherapy can be a great tool to be a non-smoker and BE WELL.