World
COPD Day – November 15th, 2006
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases. COPD includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory asthma and severe bronchiectasis.
COPD is a devastating lung disease that gradually robs sufferers of breath. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), COPD is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, on par with HIV/AIDS1. More than three million people die from the disease each year2, and up to ten percent of adults over age forty worldwide may have it2-5.
COPD symptoms include shortness of breath, increased mucus and coughing. The quality of life for a person with COPD may lessen as the disease progresses; as a result activities become more restricted.
While COPD cannot be cured, there are several treatment options available. Most COPD treatment plans include the use of bronchodilators in the form of an inhaler in combination with a valved holding chamber (VHC) such as the AeroChamber* Brand of VHC’s which greatly assists with inhaler technique and may lead to better disease management.
World COPD Day, November 15th, 2006 is organized by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). GOLD works with health care professionals and public health officials around the world to raise awareness of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and to improve prevention and treatment of this lung disease.
Please join Trudell Medical International in recognizing World COPD Day on November 15th, 2006.
1. World Health Report. Geneva: World Health Organization.
2. Lopez AD, Shibuya K, Rao C, Mathers CD, Hansell AL, Held LS, et al. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current burden and future projections. Eur Respir J 2006;27(2):397-412.
3. Menezes AM, Perez-Padilla R, Jardim JR, Muino A, Lopez MV, Valdivia G, et al. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in five Latin American cities (the PLATINO study): a prevalence study. Lancet 2005;366(9500):1875-81.
4. Chapman KR, Mannino DM, Soriano JB, Vermeire PA, Buist AS, Thun MJ, et al. Epidemiology and costs of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Eur Respir J 2006;27(1):188-207.
5. Buist AS, Vollmer WM, Sullivan SD, Weiss KB, Lee TA, Menezes AM, et al. The burden of obstructive lung disease initiative (BOLD): Rationale and Design. J COPD 2005;2:277-83.
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