Mary Alice Reporting –
A serious lung disease has been diagnosed in nearly 16 million people in the United States and rural area number are increasing.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) effects the lungs and worsens overtime, primarily due to long-term exposure to irritants, creating less air flow causing shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing.
People living in rural communities are more than twice as likely to have COPD says Dr. Tony Punturieri, the Program Officer in the Division of Lung Disease at the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
“Cigarette smoke is the cause of between 80 and 85-percent of the cases, but there are other irritants like cultural dust and fumes.”
Working in industries that are more likely to expose someone to lung irritants, like farming, mining, or manufacturing, is another reason.
About 6% of adults in the United States have been diagnosed with COPD, and many more people may be undiagnosed.
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