Chronic lung disease

Pay attention to your breath

Persistent shortness of breath and a chronic cough lasting more than three to six weeks may signal a potentially serious or chronic lung condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

COPD refers to a group of lung diseases that limit airflow as you exhale and make it increasingly difficult to breathe out. COPD affects millions of Americans and is usually attributed to exposure to tobacco smoke and airborne irritants over a period of time. Most often, it occurs in long-term or former smokers. Left untreated and allowed to progress, COPD literally takes your breath away, making it a leading cause of death in the United States.

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