I read website's What is COPD. Very informative and so well written, even I can understand it (I'm pretty sure !).
The big question I think is - no primary care or other doctor ever recommended getting my lungs tested. I'm a former smoker and have a chronic cough from a big exposure to cement dust that began the coughing I believe. Even PCP's hearing me cough in their office at my physical, do nothing when I say I have reactive airway and explain the above. They never say to get the lungs checked out.
So, given the billions of smokers, a big risk group, why is the medical community not doing the simple and obvious thing - recommending periodic lung review? The screening test is so simple. I am floored that there is not an uprising by the pulmonary people at the national level to demand this be done. Especially given that COPD is the #3 reason for death in the USA. We need a voice like AARP for COPD to lobby Medicare and others to get more recognition for the easy almost-cost-free test. Or have public service TV ads like is done for smokers and cancer. Ones that say ask your doctor for this simple test to stop this disease process from progressing. That is almost as good as a CURE. Especially since people many have no symptoms, or ignore that little cough, until they are moderate ill or even severe.
It would be SO EASY to stop this in its tracks !!! It is an epidemic - pandemic - that can be reduced significantly. IF NOT NOW, WHEN?