• English
• En español

Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases

Home > Men's Health Home > Top Health Concerns of Men > Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases

• Additional Resources

Chronic lower respiratory diseases are a group of diseases that affect the airways and lungs. The biggest killer is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. COPD includes two main illnesses:

• Emphysema (em-fuh-ZEE-muh) — Usually caused by smoking, having emphysema means some of the air sacs in your lungs are damaged, making it hard for your body to get the oxygen it needs.

• Chronic bronchitis (brong-KEYE-tuhss) — The cells lining the inside of the lungs airways are red and swollen when you have chronic bronchitis. The airways in your lungs have become narrow and partly clogged with mucus that cannot be cleared.

Cigarette smoking is the main cause of COPD. If you smoke, you are 12 times as likely to die of COPD as are men who have never smoked. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis also are strongly associated with lung cancer.
Most cases of COPD are preventable! Take these steps:

• Don't smoke.
• Avoid secondhand smoke.
• Minimize exposure to workplace chemicals (lead and organic solvents).

COPD develops over time and has no cure. At the onset, there is minimal shortness of breath. But people with COPD may eventually need supplemental oxygen and may have to rely on mechanical respiratory assistance. If you have COPD, you can stop or slow the damage to your lungs by quitting smoking.

Additional Resources

Publications

1.   COPD: Learn More Breathe Better - The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has developed a national campaign—Learn More Breathe Better —to increase awareness and understanding of COPD and its risk factors and to underscore the benefits of early detection and treatment in slowing the disease and improving the quality of life.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/index.htm

2.   FastStats: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) - This publication provides statistical information on illness and death caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also provides a summary of health care use by patients with COPD.

   http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/copd.htm

3.   What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)? - This publication provides in-depth information on how the lungs work, how chronic bronchitis, emphysema, pneumonia and COPD can affect lung health. It also provides information on treatment and research information.

   http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html

4. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Copyright © National Jewish Medical Research Center) - This web site will help you learn the basics of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and provide you with information about the strategies used to treat and cope with COPD.

   http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/copd/index.aspx

5. Nutritional Guidelines for People With COPD (Copyright © Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - This article provides basic information to help patients with COPD make healthy food choices. Changing your eating habits will not cure COPD, but it can help you feel better.

   http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/2400/2411.asp?index=9451

Organizations

1.   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Information Center, NHLBI, NIH, HHS
2.   National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, NIH, HHS
3. American Lung Association

= Indicates Federal Resources