Wei Laboratories, Inc.
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| Toll Free: 888.919.1188 International 408.970.8700 |
| Email: wei@weilab.com |
| COPD |
What Is COPD?[1]
"COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to
breathe. "Progressive" means the disease gets worse over time.
COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus, wheezing, shortness of
breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to
smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust,
also may contribute to COPD."
Overview[1]
"To understand COPD, it helps to understand how the lungs work. The air that you breathe goes
down your windpipe into tubes in your lungs called bronchial tubes, or airways.
The airways are shaped like an upside-down tree with many branches. At the end of the
branches are tiny air sacs called alveoli.
The airways and air sacs are elastic. When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air like a
small balloon. When you breathe out, the air sac deflates and the air goes out.
In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways because of one or more of the following:
Healthy Alveoli and Damaged Alveoli
The illustration shows the respiratory system and images of healthy alveoli and alveoli damaged
by COPD.
In the United States, the term "COPD" includes two main conditions—emphysema and chronic
obstructive bronchitis.
In emphysema, the walls between many of the air sacs are damaged, causing them to lose their
shape and become floppy. This damage also can destroy the walls of the air sacs, leading to
fewer and larger air sacs instead of many tiny ones.
In chronic obstructive bronchitis, the lining of the airways is constantly irritated and inflamed. This
causes the lining to thicken. Lots of thick mucus forms in the airways, making it hard to breathe.
Most people who have COPD have both emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis. Thus,
the general term "COPD" is more accurate."
Outlook[1]
"COPD is a major cause of disability, and it's the fourth leading cause of death in the United
States. More than 12 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD. An additional 12 million
likely have the disease and don't even know it.
COPD develops slowly. Symptoms often worsen over time and can limit your ability to do routine
activities. Severe COPD may prevent you from doing even basic activities like walking, cooking,
or taking care of yourself.
Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle-aged or older people. The disease isn't passed
from person to person—you can't catch it from someone else.
COPD has no cure yet in conventional medicine practice, and medical doctors don't know how to
reverse the damage to the airways and lungs. However, treatments and lifestyle changes can
help you feel better, stay more active, and slow the progress of the disease."
Alternative Medicine[2]
"In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice "that does not
fall within the realm of conventional medicine"."[3]
To find an experienced licensed alternative medicine practitioner close to you, please contact us
either by phone at 1-888-919-1188 or by e-mail at wei@weilab.com.
References:
[1] National Institutes of Health
[2] Wikipedia
[3] Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell House. pp. 7.
ISBN 1565656261.
"COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a progressive disease that makes it hard to
breathe. "Progressive" means the disease gets worse over time.
COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of mucus, wheezing, shortness of
breath, chest tightness, and other symptoms.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. Most people who have COPD smoke or used to
smoke. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants, such as air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust,
also may contribute to COPD."
Overview[1]
"To understand COPD, it helps to understand how the lungs work. The air that you breathe goes
down your windpipe into tubes in your lungs called bronchial tubes, or airways.
The airways are shaped like an upside-down tree with many branches. At the end of the
branches are tiny air sacs called alveoli.
The airways and air sacs are elastic. When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air like a
small balloon. When you breathe out, the air sac deflates and the air goes out.
In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways because of one or more of the following:
- The airways and air sacs lose their elastic quality.
- The walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed.
- The walls of the airways become thick and inflamed.
- The airways make more mucus than usual, which tends to clog the airways.
- Healthy Alveoli and Damaged Alveoli
Healthy Alveoli and Damaged Alveoli
The illustration shows the respiratory system and images of healthy alveoli and alveoli damaged
by COPD.
In the United States, the term "COPD" includes two main conditions—emphysema and chronic
obstructive bronchitis.
In emphysema, the walls between many of the air sacs are damaged, causing them to lose their
shape and become floppy. This damage also can destroy the walls of the air sacs, leading to
fewer and larger air sacs instead of many tiny ones.
In chronic obstructive bronchitis, the lining of the airways is constantly irritated and inflamed. This
causes the lining to thicken. Lots of thick mucus forms in the airways, making it hard to breathe.
Most people who have COPD have both emphysema and chronic obstructive bronchitis. Thus,
the general term "COPD" is more accurate."
Outlook[1]
"COPD is a major cause of disability, and it's the fourth leading cause of death in the United
States. More than 12 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD. An additional 12 million
likely have the disease and don't even know it.
COPD develops slowly. Symptoms often worsen over time and can limit your ability to do routine
activities. Severe COPD may prevent you from doing even basic activities like walking, cooking,
or taking care of yourself.
Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle-aged or older people. The disease isn't passed
from person to person—you can't catch it from someone else.
COPD has no cure yet in conventional medicine practice, and medical doctors don't know how to
reverse the damage to the airways and lungs. However, treatments and lifestyle changes can
help you feel better, stay more active, and slow the progress of the disease."
Alternative Medicine[2]
"In Western culture, the term alternative medicine refers to any healing practice "that does not
fall within the realm of conventional medicine"."[3]
To find an experienced licensed alternative medicine practitioner close to you, please contact us
either by phone at 1-888-919-1188 or by e-mail at wei@weilab.com.
References:
[1] National Institutes of Health
[2] Wikipedia
[3] Bratman, MD, Steven (1997). The Alternative Medicine Sourcebook. Lowell House. pp. 7.
ISBN 1565656261.
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