If you’ve recently been diagnosed with COPD, you probably have questions about the ailment and if you’ll be able to continue living your typical lifestyle.
Read on to learn the answers to some of your questions.
COPD Explained
First off, what is COPD? COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. COPD is a long-term lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe.
Millions of Americans are impacted by COPD. In fact, it is the third leading cause of disease-related death in the United States.
Symptoms Of COPD
It’s common not to be able to identify the symptoms of COPD until the disease has progressed into the later stages. Most of the time, people believe their shortness of breath and challenges performing typical daily activities is due to aging. However, shortness of breath can be a crucial symptom of lung disease.
If you suffer from any of the following symptoms, it may be a good idea to speak to your doctor about being tested for COPD:
- Chronic cough
- Shortness of breath while perming typical daily activities (dyspnea)
- Repeated respiratory infections
- Your lips or fingernail beds turn blue (cyanosis)
- Fatigue
- Producing an abundance of mucus
- Wheezing
A COPD Diagnosis
In order to diagnose COPD, your physician will need to assess your symptoms, request your full health history, perform a health exam, and inspect the test results. Your physician will probably ask you about the following components of your health history:
- Are currently a smoker or used to smoke
- Are around secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemicals, or dust
- Exhibit symptoms including shortness of breath, chronic cough, or excessive mucus
- Have COPD in your family’s medical history
We Can Help
If you wish to hire a lawyer to help you obtain the disability benefits you need to help with your COPD, our attorneys at Dabdoub Law Firm are here to help. Our team is highly skilled in the realm of disability insurance law and we’ve helped many other people in situations just like yours obtain the benefits they deserve. Don’t hesitate to contact our firm with your case right away. Your health is nothing to gamble on. After all, you’re only awarded one body in this life—it’s your responsibility to take care of it.
Call Dabdoub Law Firm today at (800) 969-0488 to speak with an attorney about your case.