May 01, 2007
How healthy is the air you are breathing?
How healthy is the air you are breathing? You may be surprised to find out that the answer depends, in part, on which side of the Mississippi River you live.
The American Lung Association’s State of the Air: 2007 finds that America’s air quality picture is clearly split East-West. This is actually the first time we’ve seen a geographic split in the eight years that we have been sending out an annual air quality report card. Particle pollution (soot)—the most dangerous pollutant—increased in the East but decreased in the West. Ozone (smog) levels, on the other hand, dropped across the country from peaks reported in 2002. You can learn more about your own area’s air quality grades by checking out the report.
Why the split? Like most topics related to air quality, the complex answer revolves around sound science and federal policies intended to control pollution.
This year’s State of the Air reinforces our life-and-death need for more protective federal standards so that every community in the United States—East or West—can have truly healthy air to breathe. The report finds that 136 million Americans are breathing air that’s not safe. That’s unacceptable.
Every day, air pollution is affecting people’s health all over the United States. The air you’re breathing is cleaner than it was 30 years ago, but it’s still not healthy air!
Breathing ozone (smog) and particle pollution (soot) can literally shorten life, create life-and-death emergencies, and send our most vulnerable Americans to emergency rooms. We must protect them.
With all the research showing how harmful these pollutants are to the health of so many Americans, you’d think it would be simple to decide to clean up the air. But it’s not. Unfortunately, clear scientific evidence can get tangled up in politics.
Right now, we’re in the midst of a critical debate over how much pollution it too much. We at the the American Lung Association and our colleagues at most other health organizations are at odds with the federal government’s definition of what safe levels of smog and soot truly are.
And it’s that definition of “safe levels” of smog and soot that sets official limits on how much air pollution your community can have.
Understanding outdoor air pollution and how it affects human health is complex and can be overwhelming. The most basic piece of the puzzle to understand is that our lungs simply weren’t made to breathe the levels of air pollution Americans continue to have to inhale.
Here are some specifics about how our bodies can react to smog and soot:
- First and foremost, breathing particle pollution can kill. Someone can die on the very day that particle levels are high, or within one to two months afterward. Breathing particle pollution year-round can shorten life by one to three years. It causes many other health effects, premature births to serious respiratory disorders, even when the particle levels are very low. It makes asthma worse and causes wheezing, coughing and respiratory irritation in anyone with sensitive airways. It also triggers heart attacks, strokes, irregular heartbeat, and premature death.
- Ozone reacts chemically (“oxidizes”) with internal body tissues that it comes in contact with, such as those in the lung. When that irritates the respiratory tract, like getting a sunburn or rubbing sandpaper on a wound.
- Smog can cause health problems the day you breathe in high levels of smog, or after long-term exposure. It’s particularly dangerous for people with asthma and other chronic lung diseases, senior citizens, and children and teens.
- Smog can cause asthma attacks, coughing and wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain when inhaling deeply, and even premature death. Breathing high levels of smog repeatedly over the long term may also lead to reduced lung function, inflamed lung lining, and increased breathing problems.
- Particle pollution is too small to really see—you can see the haze it creates when the sunlight hits it. Particles can be so microscopic that they’re one-seventh to one-thirtieth the diameter of a single human hair—or smaller.
- The body’s natural defenses help to cough or sneeze larger particles out of our bodies. But those defenses don’t keep out smaller particles, and they get lodged deep in the lungs, where they stay and can cause major damage. Some of the particles are so tiny that they can pass through the lungs into the blood stream and travel throughout your body like oxygen.
- When it comes to air pollution, children and teens are more vulnerable than you might realize. Their lungs are still developing, so they can be easily damaged. Because kids are so active and outdoors more often, they can end up breathing more air pollution per pound than adults.
- Many others are vulnerable as well, including probably someone in your family. Not only children and teens, but adults over 65, adults who work or exercise outdoors, anyone with a chronic lung disease like asthma or COPD, anyone with cardiovascular diseases or diabetes—all these people face much higher risk of harm from air pollution.
The bottom line is that too many people are breathing dirty air. America deserves air pollution standards that protect the health of the public—that’s what the law requires.
Why do air pollution standards matter?
States and the U.S. EPA must enforce the Clean Air Act to reduce air pollution to protect health. To do that, EPA sets standards that every community is required to meet. Local communities and states are legally required to control pollution in their areas so that air is as clean as federal standard says it must be.
Standards drive nearly everything the American Lung Association does to clean up air pollution. The tighter the standards are set, the less people will suffer. Right now, we have the rare chance to get EPA to make them tighter—and we have the evidence we need. The last time EPA looked at ozone standards was 1997. It turns out that what EPA thought was safe then, isn’t. We’re calling on EPA to set new standards for ozone at levels that would protect public health as the Clean Air Act requires.
You can let policymakers know you want them to protect the air you breathe. Sign up to join our e-advocacy team.
Posted by lungblogposter at 09:11 AM | Comments (1)
March 13, 2007
COPD: Learn More Breathe Better
Millions of Americans are at risk for a disease many may not have heard of, or that it has a specific name. But 11.4 million Americans, primarily former smokers, have COPD—Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease—and another 12 million likely have it and don’t even know it.
COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, most often occurs in people 40 and over and are smokers or former smokers. But environmental exposures (certain chemicals, dust, or fumes in the workplace, secondhand smoke, and other air pollutants) and genetic factors also play a role in COPD.
Symptoms
What should you look for, and when should you be concerned? In short, don’t ignore any change in your health. Talk to your doctor! COPD develops slowly and can worsen over time. Be sure to report any symptoms, no matter how mild they may seem, to your doctor.
If you think someone you love may be experiencing COPD symptoms, urge them to talk to their doctor!
Symptoms include:
The American Lung Association’s COPD Center provides extensive resources for patients and caregivers. For more information about our COPD programs or to speak with a registered nurse or respiratory therapist, please call our Lung Helpline at 1-800-LUNG-USA.
With the goal of earlier diagnosis and treatment for people with COPD, the American Lung Association has joined with the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute to promote its Learn More Breathe Better campaign (www.learnaboutcopd.org).
Pam’s Story:
We know how COPD can affect individuals’ and families’ lives. The story of Pam, who lives in Idaho, illustrates the “before and after” of diagnosis, appropriate treatment, and education. The American Lung Association is working to prevent this type of story from unfolding again and again.
Pam, 56, endured a long, painful path to her diagnosis of COPD. A former smoker, Pam would get acute bronchitis two or three times each year since her late 40s. Then, as her shortness of breath got worse and she was unable to do the things she used to do, a doctor told her she might have “COPD”. She was told to quit smoking and that was it. Pam searched for more information, but couldn’t get the answers to her questions. In 2003, Pam became dreadfully ill, could not breathe and was rushed to the Emergency Room. The attending physician put her on oxygen and ordered testing of her lung function. At age 53, she was diagnosed with emphysema.
Finally, Pam received proper medical management. But she continued to struggle with the disease, becoming more debilitated and needing to go on full-time oxygen. Pam and her husband were both affected by this disease, living in constant fear and anxiety, Pam became hopeless. Since late 2003, though, Pam has become a regular member of the American Lung Association’s Better Breathers Club, through which she has gotten the information and support she desperately needs. Now Pam tells us that she has learned how to manage her COPD, and is able to accept the disease, no longer ashamed or afraid. Most important, she is able to get out and enjoy life again. Her husband has learned how he can be a supportive caregiver. She has returned to work part-time and has begun horseback-riding.
Now, for every Pam who has been diagnosed, there is likely one other person who has not, there are untold numbers who are not receiving the right care and support, and there are thousands whose activities are severely limited, who are isolated and fearful, who frequently need to go to emergency rooms and hospitals...all at a huge cost in terms of human suffering in addition to the billions of dollars annually that you heard about earlier.
We know and the evidence shows that where chronic disease is concerned, the earlier the diagnosis, the better the chance for reducing serious disability. That means reducing the human suffering, the costs to their families and to society and a much improved quality of life. Early diagnosis and better management can only come about when all Americans are familiar with the term COPD, what causes it, and how to seek help and how to manage it.
Posted by lungblogposter at 09:28 AM | Comments (4)
December 19, 2005
Breathing Better Together – 4th issue now posted
Throughout November and December we have been collecting and writing stories of people who are living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – also known as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. These are people who have experienced their own personal struggles and generously gave us their stories to share with you. To read the final issue of the Breathing Better Together series, click here.
Please tell me, how have these stories been helpful or inspiring to you? Or please share your story of how you found out you have COPD and what life changes you have experienced.
If you have specific lung health questions, please click here or call 1-800-LUNG-USA.
Posted by lungblogposter at 08:08 AM | Comments (4)
December 13, 2005
Dialing Up The Answers
We get many questions to our American Lung Association Helpline (1-800-LUNG-USA). The Helpline is staffed with respiratory therapists and smoking cessation experts and they are available Monday-Friday 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. EST to help with your questions. The Helpline is one of the many resources provided by the American Lung Association.
Here is a frequent question we receive that I thought you might find interesting:
Question: I have COPD, does that mean I can’t exercise anymore?
Answer: Inactivity is a vicious cycle. Some people with lung disease try to exercise and get short of breath so they stop. Sometimes you may feel too tired to do many of the things you like to do. If you've been in the hospital or you've been sick at home, your body may be weak and out of shape. Pretty soon, it seems impossible to exercise because of muscle weakness, fatigue and shortness of breath.
You can build yourself up with exercise and get back in shape. Exercise is important to:
- Build and maintain strength by helping you use oxygen more efficiently
- Maintain the flexibility of your bones and joints
- Build stamina and be able to increase the amount of activity you can in addition to managing your weight
Although exercise will not reverse your lung disease, it will help you take more control of your condition by improving your everyday quality of life and maintaining your independence.
We welcome your comments. If you have specific questions, please click here or call 1-800-LUNG-USA
Posted by lungblogposter at 07:49 AM | Comments (4)
December 01, 2005
Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis
Today we launched our 3rd edition of the Hungry For Air: Breathing Better Together series of booklets. In a national survey done by the American Lung Association in 2004, we found out that nearly 64% of smokers are not concerned about getting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – also known as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The survey also told us that more than half of smokers (55 percent) experience at least one of the symptoms of COPD a minimum of once a week.
COPD is often mistaken for a sign of aging and is usually dismissed. I’d like to review some of the primary symptoms of COPD. If you have any of these symptoms and you have been a smoker for at least 10 years, I ask you to call you doctor and ask for a lung function test.
- shortness of breath during exercise
- shortness of breath at rest
- Chronic cough especially in the morning
- Cough production of sputum
Here is one comment we recently heard from someone with COPD: “You have to change, but it can be done. Do not give up. There is something you can do!”
We hope you have been informed or inspired by the Breathing Better Together series. We welcome your comments. If you have specific questions, please click here or call 1-800-LUNG-USA
Posted by lungblogposter at 06:43 AM | Comments (16)
November 23, 2005
Breathing Better Together
Last week was “World COPD Day” in which healthcare workers, educators and members of the public organized events in more than 50 countries. This COPD awareness day began in 2002 and has helped raise awareness about the disease. With our Breathing Better Together campaign we hope we are making some strides here in America.
I’m thrilled to learn that more than 4,500 people have downloaded the COPD booklets from our Hungry For Air: Breathing Better Together campaign. Please keep checking back with us as there are two more issues to come.
If you have COPD, I want to remind you to please get a flu shot this season. We are told through a CDC briefing last week that there is supply, but there are some distribution delays. Please keep checking back with us through our flu clinic locator, your local public health department or doctor to find one. Even in December and January it isn’t too late to get a shot.
Please share with us your comments on your experience with COPD.
I wish you all a wonderful and healthful Thanksgiving holiday!
Posted by lungblogposter at 07:20 AM | Comments (15)
November 16, 2005
Living with COPD
Did you know that Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and smoking is the primary risk factor for COPD? This week we have a second edition of our Hungry For Air: Breathing Better Together booklet as part of an educational partnership with ALTANA Pharma US. The two free booklets are now available for anyone and tell stories of hope and encouragement for those living with COPD.
One COPD patient, Sharon O'Hara says, "Go beyond your shortness of breath. Take what we have and turn it into something positive, an opportunity. Exercise, have goals, and remember we don't 'suffer' from anything. We are not victims."
Some people have commented that COPD doesn’t get the coverage it should in the media. We agree, but we have had some success. A recent article about COPD appeared in the November 13 issue of Parade magazine...which reaches 36 million in circulation in 350 Sunday newspapers. I also participated in a radio media tour earlier this month where, over a three-hour period, I talked to 17 radio hosts in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Houston and Cleveland (to name a few).
Unfortunately, the media can’t be our only way to raise awareness about COPD. Is there anything you have done to spread the word about this disease? If so, tell us.
Posted by lungblogposter at 10:09 AM | Comments (3)
November 02, 2005
Welcome!
Welcome to the first installment of my blog. I am Dr. Norman Edelman, the Chief Medical Officer of the American Lung Association, and I hope to use this space to write to the visitors of lungusa.org about important news items in the world of lung disease and lung health.
I want to talk to you about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease also called COPD (also known as Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema). Have you ever had the feeling that you are so hungry and you just can’t eat fast enough? Well, the patients I see with COPD often tell me they are “hungry for air.” That is a pretty powerful visual and we want people with COPD to know they aren’t alone. For the third year we are launching the “Hungry For Air: Breathing Better Together” awareness campaign. Each week this month we will feature a different story of someone who is living with COPD or someone who is caring for a loved one with COPD. We are grateful to Altana Pharma US who has helped us with an educational grant to raise awareness about COPD.
I want you to get to know these people and see how they are living with this disease. If you think you have COPD, I want you to call your doctor and ask for a lung function test.
Do you have a story about someone you love who has COPD? Would you like to share your experience and possibly help others understand this disease? Please let us hear from you.
Best of health!
Posted by lungblogposter at 12:41 PM | Comments (36)
