November 17, 2009

A national Web seminar, attended by UAB pulmonary physicians, to raise awareness of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Nov. 18 is World COPD Day.

The even will take place, Wednesday, November 18 from 6:45-7:45 p.m at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 2300 Woodcrest Place, Birmingham.

UAB physicians will join will others across the country in a national Web seminar on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide, killing nearly 3 million people annually and affecting more than 50 million, according to the World Health Organization. The Web seminar, presented by Pfizer, will connect pulmonary experts throughout the nation as they consider new, more effective means to diagnose, treat and/or prevent COPD.

COPD is a slowly progressive disease of the airways that is characterized by a gradual loss of lung function. COPD includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema or a combination of these conditions. There are effective treatments for COPD, particularly if the disease is diagnosed while still in the early stages. The symptoms of COPD can range from chronic cough and sputum production to severely disabling shortness of breath. In America, the most important risk factor for COPD is cigarette smoking. The most important measure for preventing COPD - and for slowing disease progression - is to quit smoking.