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COPD is not a reversible condition, which is why it is so important that you take steps
to prevent this disease and treat it early if you are diagnosed. LetÕs hear from Dr.
Holly for more on preventing and diagnosing COPD.
PHYSICIAN: The absolute best way to prevent COPD is to
never smoke. But, if you do smoke É now is time to stop. The sooner you can quit smoking,
the better chance youÕll have at avoiding COPD. Remember, more than 85 percent of COPD
cases are caused by smoking tobacco. ThatÕs because a chemical in smoke stimulates inflammation
in the lungs. That can lead to chronic bronchitis or emphysemaÉ making it difficult to breathe
everyday. To diagnose COPD, your doctor may choose to run some Pulmonary Function Tests,
or PFTÕs, to get a good idea of how advanced your symptoms are. The most frequent test
is Spirometry. This simple test can be performed in most physicians' offices. To do the test,
youÕll inhale as deeply as possible through a tube, and then exhale, as forcefully and
rapidly as you can. Basically, it measures how much air goes into and out of your lungs.
Other tests may also be done to test different parts of the lungs, and their ability to transfer
air into the bloodstream. These tests may also be given periodically during treatment,
to determine how well certain therapies are working. Sometimes, a chest X-ray will be
ordered to help rule out other potential conditions. Diagnosing COPD early will help you and your
doctor determine a treatment plan and make it easier to get the best results. To learn
more about these options, watch our treatment segment.