• Long-term disease of the lungs resulting in the blockage of airflow due to inflammation and damage to the lungs
• Develops due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema
• Symptoms may include shortness of breath, cough and barrel-shaped chest
• Cause most commonly due to prolonged tobacco use but may also be related to secondhand smoke and air pollution
• Cannot be spread from person to person
• Affects males and females
• Can occur at any age but most common in adults who smoke tobacco
• May be mild to severe

• Avoid smoking
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Record what triggers a flare-up and avoid those triggers

FOR COUGH

• Increase fluids (especially water)
• Suck on cough drops or hard sweets (candy)
• Use a cool air humidifier in room
• Avoid lung irritants such as smoke, household cleaners or allergens
• Over-the-counter cough medicine (refer to manufacturer’s recommendations for dosage):
  • Guaifenesin
  • Dextromethorphan