Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases, most commonly emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is a disease that may gradually get worse and move through different stages from mild to very severe. There is no cure for COPD even at early stages. Although COPD is a lifelong … Read More
Nine out of ten people will have a headache at some time. The location of your headache may be an important clue to the type of headache, along with other clues like when the headache occurs, how long it lasts, how severe it is, and what other symptoms you have … Read More
People with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have very low levels of oxygen in their blood. This is called hypoxemia, and it may cause increased difficulty breathing and further impair your ability to exercise, requiring COPD oxygen therapy. Low COPD oxygen levels may also cause fatigue, memory loss, … Read More
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic or inherited disease of the mucus and sweat glands. It affects approximately 30,000 Americans, leading to chronic health problems and premature death. Advances in treatment, however, have dramatically improved outcomes in the past 20 years. In people with cystic fibrosis, or CF, the mucus produced … Read More
Those at risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may wonder, "Is COPD fatal?" While there is no cure, it’s important to keep in mind that when you're dealing with COPD signs and symptoms, various treatment approaches can help you avoid complications. Some strategies are as straightforward as getting immunized against … Read More
Flesh-eating bacteria—also known as necrotizing fasciitis—is a quick-spreading, aggressive infection that can be fatal if not treated promptly. The infection starts below the skin and spreads along the fascia (the flat layers of tissue that separate other tissues, including muscles, fat, and organs), destroying these tissues as it spreads through … Read More
One of the lung problem symptoms people in the last stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may experience, according to the standard COPD GOLD classification, is a low level of oxygen in their blood. This condition is called hypoxemia, and can cause increased difficulty breathing, and further impair the ability … Read More
You may jog up a flight of steps or take an extra lap in the pool and find yourself a little winded when you stop. Shortness of breath following those moments of exertion is normal for most people. But what causes shortness of breath when you’re doing something you used … Read More
One of the missions of GOLD COPD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) involves the stages of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Before diagnosis, a doctor may suspect COPD in anyone with a history of smoking or exposure to environmental irritants. Characteristic lung problem symptoms that accompany COPD include chronic … Read More
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a term for lung diseases that include emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Women are 37 percent more likely than men to have COPD, and it is the third leading cause of death in the U.S. COPD is undiagnosed in many patients who have it, but … Read More
