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Respiratory Health

Respiratory Health

Our respiratory system brings oxygen into the body and expel carbon dioxide waste by breathing. Asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are both serious conditions of the respiratory system that make breathing difficult. Symptoms of these conditions include wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. Asthma is usually caused by a trigger, like pollen or dust that causes the airways to constrict. COPD includes the diseases chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is progressive, meaning that it gets worse over time.

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways that carry oxygen in and out of the lungs. If a person has asthma, the inside of these airways is irritated and swollen. Asthma can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. Asthma has no cure, but it can be controlled, especially when avoiding environmental triggers. Examples of triggers include secondhand smoke, wood smoke, pollution, stress, exercise, food and drug allergies, respiratory infections (flu, colds, etc.), pets, dust, pollen, chemicals, cold air, mold, and pests, such as cockroaches. In 2016, nearly 2,000 Kentucky residents were hospitalized for asthma as a primary diagnosis, and more than 17,500 Kentucky residents went to the emergency department for asthma as a primary diagnosis.

COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems. It includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and in some cases asthma. In the United States, tobacco smoke is a key factor in the development and progression of COPD, although exposure to air pollutants in the home and workplace, genetic factors, and respiratory infections also play a role. In the developing world, indoor air quality is thought to play a larger role in the development and progression of COPD than it does in the United States. In 2016, over 16,500 Kentucky residents were hospitalized for COPD as a primary diagnosis, and more than 54,000 Kentucky residents went to the emergency department for COPD as a primary diagnosis.

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Content updated: Thu, 3 May 2018 09:43:31 EDT