It has been recently announced that close to 300,000 people may suffer from COPD in Ireland but the fact of the matter is that the disease is relatively unknown in the region. It is to be mentioned here that close to five years back a patient who was referred for evaluation of breathlessness has been recently found to be climbing inclines had become difficult for her. It was even after she had stopped smoking 20 cigarettes a day 10 years back.

One of the biggest fears for her is the fact that her sister died of lung disease which demanded her to use oxygen and resulted in her being housebound prior to her death.

It is to be mentioned here that COPD is a chronic or long-term illness of the lungs associated with narrowing of the airways which is not always caused by cigarette smoking.

As the damage made to the lungs is not reversible in nature completely and if it reaches an advance stage it can take the patient to a scenario where the damage to the lungs is not completely reversible, but usually there is some reversible component.

If undiagnosed, it can advance to where the victim suffers progressive shortness of breath.