Half of all people with COPD do not know it! A total of 12 million people! That's a lot of people out there and most not all of them are either current or EX smokers. Maybe even You!
You might ask yourself, "Why do I want to know? Isn't it incurable anyway?"
Yes, COPD is chronic, progressive and incurable. BUT it is manageable!
Take the chronic part -
There are many things a person can do to make their chronic COPD more liveable. Speaking for myself at Stage II, I can work as much as I want or need (as recently demonstrated LOL!) I can do many of the activities that I have always enjoyed. I say this, "I'm healthier now than I've ever been ...except my lungs!
How about the progressive part?
I have maintained the same level of lung capacity for 3 1/2 years! Zero change! That's as good as it gets! And I was able to do this because, honestly, I work very, very hard at taking the best of care of myself! And it's sooooooo worth it!
But it's still incurable, you're thinking....
Well, yes, for now COPD is incurable but each and every day, great strides are being made to change that! And in my opinion, there's a real possibility that a cure will be found before long. My job is to maintain my health to the best of my ability until that day comes! And I will. Because even if I don't see a cure before the Lord takes me, the Qualiy of my LIFE in the meantime is that much BETTER! And that, my friends, is a Blessing!
SO if you have shortness of breath, chronic coughing, a lot of mucus or sputum, even difficulty sleeping, PLEASE ask your Doctor for a Spirometry Test and find out one way or the other! The truth can only help you!
