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Our Campaign: Peter Gzowski Fund

Donate today to the Peter Gzowski Fund COPD: a growing problem COPD research that's improving quality of life Donors who are joining the fight against COPD Peter Gzowski: the man who made it happen Alison Gzowski on her father's illness

COPD: A growing problem among Canadians

Most of us take breathing for granted. But every day, thousands of people struggle to catch their breath after walking or even doing the dishes.

Recent statistics in both Canada and the U.S. reveal a growing incidence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

• COPD is the fourth most common cause of death in North America today.
• It is the only major cause of mortality that is rising in prevalence.
• COPD affects an estimated 1.6 million Canadians each year.
• The cost in lost time and health care is estimated at $592 million a year in Canada.
• A recent survey found that nearly half of the people with COPD experience shortness of breath while washing and dressing. More than half say their condition limits their ability to work.

What is COPD?

Often referred to as chronic lung disease, COPD represents a combination of several respiratory conditions (most commonly chronic bronchitis and emphysema) characterized by shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing* ( The Lung Association ). People with COPD usually suffer similar symptoms; however, the disease can affect some people differently than others. Other symptoms include:

• difficulty breathing doing regular activities (walking, bathing, working)
• difficulty sleeping
• severe loss of weight and energy

The cause of COPD is widely suspected to be smoking, while environmental factors such as exposure to poor air quality can exacerbate the condition.

Can COPD be cured?

COPD is a chronic disease that progresses over time: there is no cure . However, good management with a variety of medical and rehabilitative approaches has been shown to improve exercise tolerance and quality of life.*

Is progress being made to understand this disease?

Yes. Thanks to research, important advances in the effectiveness of respiratory rehabilitation have been made in the past 10 years.

However, more research is needed to ensure services, treatments and patient education are developed to respond to the growing prevalence of the disease among Canadians.You can help by donating to the Peter Gzowski Fund .

To find out more about COPD, talk to your physician or visit BreathWorks, a special section of The Lung Association 's web site devoted to informing patients and the public about COPD.

Learn more about West Park's respiratory services :

Respiratory Rehabilitation
Respiratory Continuing Care
Chronic Assisted Ventilatory Care
Home Ventilation Training
Tuberculosis Service

* With information generously contributed by The Lung Association, www.lung.ca