COPD Disease Research Paper

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COPD and Legionnaires' Disease Hostos Community College Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a collection of diseases that causes blockage to air flow and makes it hard to breath. Various diseases have been classified under COPD although the most common ones are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Asthma is no longer classified as a COPD disease. Common symptoms of this disease include persistent cough and sputum production, loss of weight, rhonchi, wheezing, dyspnea and sometimes headache (Suzanne, Janice, Brenda, Kerry, 2010). The most common cause of COPD is nicotine obtained from tobacco smoking (MacNee, 2005). Tobacco smoking is responsible for the occurrence and procession of COPD, although various factors, such as exposure to pollutants, infections of the respiratory system, and genetics, causes asthma. In some instances, the quality of air indoors, particularly in the developing world, may play a part occurrence and procession of this condition. A chest x-ray, lung function test, spirometry and arterial blood gas are some of the tests used to diagnose COPD.…show more content…
For example, more than 126,000 Americans dies from COPD in 2005 as compared to more than 110,000 individuals who died in 2000 (MMWR, 2008). This represents an 8 per cent increase. The increase in the prevalence rates can be attributed to increased air pollution from industries. COPD affects more women than men (MMWR,

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