I’M sorry to inform you that you have COPD.” The doctor calmly announces the diagnosis to the patient. The patient stares back blankly, unsure of how to react to the announcement.
Contrary to what most people think, when a doctor pronounces the diagnosis of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), it is not a death sentence. As mentioned in the previous article, though one may have to deal with COPD for the rest of his or her life, there are various treatments to improve a COPD patient’s quality of life and to actually allow him or her to live life to the optimum. It is not the end of the world when you hear the words: “You have COPD”.
