Page 1 - COPD

C O P D
C O P D
COMPLIMENTS OF: ACCESS REHAB CENTERS
Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy
What is COPD:
Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease?
COPD is chronic narrowing or
obstruction of airflow in the lungs that
interferes with oxygen and carbon
dioxide exchange. COPD can be in
the form of chronic bronchitis and/or
emphysema but can also include
asthmatic bronchitis. COPD is a seri-
ous long term illness that is progres-
sive but symptoms can be treated.
Symptoms of COPD include but are not limited to:
shortness of breath, persistent coughing, wheezing, chest
tightness and feeling like you can’t exhale easily.

What Causes COPD?
The #1 cause of COPD is long term smoking. Other risk factors
for developing the disease include: exposure to second
hand smoke, long term occupational exposure to chemical
fumes, vapors and dusts; indoor and outdoor air pollution
and severe gastro esophageal reflux disease or GERD.