Facts about COPD

COPD is an abbreviation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chronic means that the disease cannot be cured; and obstructive means that it impedes breathing. Chronic doesn't mean that nothing can be done, as there’s plenty of treatment to relieve symptoms and slow down the disease. More than 300,000 people in Denmark are estimated to have COPD. Around half have been diagnosed and are undergoing treatment, but more than 150,000 people have the disease without knowing it. COPD takes many years to develop and most often appears between the ages of 50-60. The first signs are usually shortness of breath when exercising. But many people also experience coughing up mucus and frequent pneumonia. You can have the disease for many years without being aware of it. COPD can have many causes. The most prevalent cause in our part of the world is smoking. But there are also other causes, such as inhaling dust or particles over many years. Organic dust in agriculture, and dust in the timber industry and bakeries, chemical fumes from printing works and industry, welding fumes. The best advice is therefore: if you have symptoms of a lung disease, see your doctor and have it checked out, especially if you have been exposed to tobacco or other particles for many years. It doesn't take long to be checked out, and the earlier COPD is discovered, the better the chances of slowing down its development and ensuring that you can learn to live with the disease and get the best out of life.