As a writer, I find it important to share what I learn with others so that they also may gain knowledge needed to have more secure footing when they battle their own illness or chronic disease.

Taking my responsibility for learning as much as I can about my COPD/Asthma is something I choose to do so to make myself more aware of what is happening now, what may happen at any moment and what may lay ahead as I travel my path of life with the companionship of COPD/Asthma.

With all that, ‘Reflections of COPD/Asthma’ will cover a variety of topics to help remind people, both those affected by the disease and those family and friends that surround them, of the ideas, research, diagnoses, game-plans and all that goes with keeping the battles at a distance.

Today we kick off or refresh a five-part series on the ‘5 Myths of COPD/Asthma that can make you sicker’ if you let them.

Note that the majority, of the information shared in this series comes from an article written by Beth W. Orenstein and was reviewed by Niya Jones, MD, MPH, while remembering that COPD is now considered the third leading cause of death in the United States with more than 12 million having COPD, Asthma, Emphysema or Chronic Bronchitis.

COPD Myth #2: “It’s too late to quit smoking.”

Physicians and pulmonologists seem to hear many COPD/Asthma patients saying that it won’t do any good to quit smoking since their lungs are already so badly damaged.

All physicians and pulmonologists would say ‘that’s absolutely false’ as quitting smoking is the most important thing a person can do to make their battle with COPD/Asthma less stressful and more long-term workable, as smoking and lung issues are never a good combination.

While a person may never be able to completely undo, the damages done to their lungs from smoking, to continue smoking while battling COPD and/or severe asthma will not slow down the lung issues and a person who chooses to continue smoking will continue to find it harder to breathe.

If a person with COPD/Asthma would quick smoking, they will feel better almost immediately, whereas if a person continues to smoke they will increase their risk of death from COPD and/or an asthma attack by more than 12 times the average.

While you can bet that those changes being made will take a person away from a habit like smoking, it will be very difficult for most – but breaking that habit of smoking is never too late to enhance the long-term prognosis and the long-term prognosis of avoiding lung issues for those around you that have been breathing in the second-hand smoke you may leave behind.

QUESTIONS OF REFLECTION – – If you have developed lung issues like severe asthma and/or COPD from being a smoker, have you been able to quit the habit and if so how quickly after a lung diagnosis?  Also, if you have quit, what was the top reason for doing so?

If you would like to reflect your response to others, please leave them under the comment section of wheezingaway.com.  Thanx.

As always, CrossDove Writer reminds you that if you or anyone you know have any symptoms involving lung and breathing functionality, and they linger over and over while disrupting a lifestyle – then please ask questions and get it checked out.

ALWAYS REMEMBER > a person without breathing is a person without life itself.

NOTE TO REMEMBER: We only give descriptions and highlights of various aspects of having COPD and/or asthma and no way do we ever want our information to be considered medical treatment type of information, always consult your physician for more, clearer and more medical founded information.

With that I bid to all – smiles, prayers, blessings and steady breathing – Mr. William.

(Copyright@2017, CrossDove Writer)

To follow all postings about COPD/Asthma by CrossDove Writer and Mr. William at wheezingaway.com or on Facebook at COPD Travels.

(Information gathered from various news/health websites, COPD Foundation’s “Big Fat Reference Guide on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease” and the book “Live Your Life with COPD”)

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