COPD Life Expectancy- What You Need to Know

T he desire to know and understand COPD life expectancy is a priority for most patients. The statistics on the ground currently are alarming. Although it may not be considered as a pandemic or epidemic, COPD affects a significant number of the population with over 24 million Americans living with the condition. This is a figure that cannot go unnoticed. It is important to address the problem early to improve patients' lives. COPD is a deadly disease that progresses faster especially when it gets to the late stages. The condition causes a restricted air flow to the lungs which is the reason why most patient die. No one can survive without enough oxygen in their system. The lungs eventually compress and fail thus affecting other vital body organs including the heart and brain. However, understanding the disease makes it possible to contain it and manage its symptoms thus prolonging the life of the patient. Arresting the progression of the condition early makes allows for treatment and drugs therapies that improve air flow and circulation. However, their is no cure. How long is a patient left with before the disease kills them? This is a question that disturbs many especially once the scary diagnosis is made. It depends on a number of things. If you have never smoked or exposed yourself to such environments then chances are that you will live a long healthy life and never suffer from COPD. However, smokers or past smokers have higher risks. Once the disease sets in, the possibility of death at some point is inevitable. Even so, patients do not have to die sooner than they need to. the symptoms are likely to increase by the age of 45 years where disability may set in. With proper management the diseases can progress slowly and death occurs at 65 years. However, all this depends on the management of the disease. Patients that neglect medication and expose themselves to predisposing factors are likely to have a short COPD life expectancy. [Foto: flickr]