7 Most Common Respiratory Diseases – Symptoms and Treatment
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease refers to a group of respiratory illnesses (including chronic bronchitis) that make it hard to breathe normally. The condition develops progressively, and it is sometimes confused with the aging process.
Symptoms: shortness of breath, cough up sputum (mucus from the lungs), especially in the morning.
It can take years before the patients actually develop clear symptoms and it can be life-threatening unless treated accordingly. “This disease is generally associated with cigarette smoking. People can experience varying severity levels of COPD. At its most severe, it can cause people difficulty doing everyday activities,” Dr. Meyer warns.
Treatment: There’s no cure for COPD. One of the first things you can do to ease the symptoms is to stop smoking. Oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation or medication have also proven to be effective.
