Dr. Group's recent blog posts. View this email in your browser. COPD: 8 Facts You Need to Know Published May 02, 2015 As the third leading cause of death in the United States, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, probably affects–or will affect–someone you know. While COPD may not be highly profiled as heart disease or cancer, it's still one of the most prevalent and deadly conditions today. In order to fight against the development of COPD and support lung health, you should first educate yourself on its facts, causes, and symptoms. What is COPD? 8 Facts You Should Know In order to reduce COPD in our world, along with every other disease known to man, awareness around the issue is crucial. Prevention is the lock, and knowledge is the key. Here are the top 8 facts you need to know about COPD. 1. What is COPD? Two conditions make up the majority of conditions referred to as COPD: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema exerts damage on air sacs in the lungs, promoting shortness of breath. Chronic bronchitis is very similar, and also impairs breathing ability. Other conditions grouped under the name of COPD is non-reversible asthma and some forms of bronchiectasis, a condition defined by the widening, stretching, and scarring of the airways in the lungs. 2. Who is Affected by COPD? COPD is estimated to affect 24 million people in the United States, with 3 million new cases discovered every year. It primarily affects adults 40 years and older who have been exposed to lung irritants, like tobacco smoke or heavy pollution. Many people who suffer from COPD are in the early stages and may not know they have it. 3. Causes of COPD COPD has numerable causes, many of which tend to be avoidable. Here's a quick rundown on the main contributors to the disease. Tobacco The smoking of cigarettes, cigars, and pipes, as well as exposure to secondhand smoke, is the most common causes of COPD. Industrial Compounds Inhaling harmful fumes, chemicals, and dust, especially from work environments, are also contributing factors to many people. Genetics A genetic condition known as AATD, or Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency, increases the risk. Individuals with these genes have white blood cells that attack lung tissue and cause the deterioration observed in COPD. 4. COPD Effects On the Body Healthy lungs have strong, well-shaped airways called bronchioles. The bronchioles of COPD patients become weak, lose their shape and get clogged with mucus. Lungs also have numerous air sacs, and the walls of the air sacs in COPD patients deteriorate, subsequently becoming less efficient. 5. Symptoms of COPD Patients with COPD suffer from difficulty breathing, a symptom that carries a heavy toll on quality of life. Flare-ups may occur and include frequent coughing, hyperventilation, frequent respiratory infections, wheezing and tightness in the chest. Coughs may produce mucus, or they may be dry and hacking. 7. The Outlook for COPD The damage caused by COPD cannot be reversed; however, if it's caught early enough, its progression can be slowed. Patients are more susceptible to diseases that affect the lungs, such as the flu and pneumonia. For this reason, patients have to be carefully monitored by their doctor in order to catch these secondary conditions early. 8. 3 Natural Remedies for COPD Although it cannot be cured, here are 3 remedies that may minimize the damage produced by COPD, possibly alleviating the symptoms that plague patients. Vitamin D Vitamin D deficiency is common among COPD patients. Studies have shown increasing vitamin D levels reduces the frequency and occurrence of flare-ups. [1] [2] I recommend supplementing with at least 2000 IUs of vitamin D3 daily; however, specific recommendations can only be determined after getting your vitamin D levels tested. N-Acetylcysteine Studies suggest this easy-to-find supplement eases the coughing and tightness associated with the disease with the greatest improvement found in patients in the earlier stages of the disease. [3] The research recommends 1,200 mg taken daily for the best effect. Magnesium This essential mineral improves the ability of muscles to relax, so supplementing with magnesium may help with opening the airways. Take 500mg of magnesium up to twice daily, depending on your doctor's recommendations. One Final Thought If you're suffering from COPD or know someone that is, you can support your health by following the above recommendations. As mentioned previously, be sure to use these strategies alongside the advice of your doctor. Don't replace medications with any supplements; instead, look at supplement regimens as a complementary approach to your medical treatment. -Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM References: Adrian R Martineau, Wai Yee James, Richard L Hooper, et al. Vitamin D3 supplementation in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (ViDiCO): a multicentre, double-blind, randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine, 2014; DOI: 10.1016/S2213-2600(14)70255-3. Berg I1, Hanson C, Sayles H, et al. Vitamin D, vitamin D binding protein, lung function and structure in COPD. Respir Med. 2013 Oct;107(10):1578-88. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2013.05.010. Tse HN1, Tseng CZ1. Update on the pathological processes, molecular biology, and clinical utility of N-acetylcysteine in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2014 Aug 6;9:825-36. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S51057. The post COPD: 8 Facts You Need to Know appeared first on Dr. Group's Natural Health & Organic Living Blog. Join the conversation and voice your opinion! Comment on this Article Now! 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