COPD at a glance
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes breathing problems for millions of Americans. Not only is it in the top five leading causes of death in the U.S., but also it can be tricky to treat. Depending on the type of COPD a patient has, like emphysema or chronic bronchitis, it can cause damage to their lungs and obstruct their airways, making it difficult to breathe and participate in everyday activities. How does COPD work? Our lungs have tiny, elastic air sacs called alveoli. In healthy lungs, breathing in causes the alveoli to inflate, and breathing out makes them deflate. With Read More …