What is COPD? with Dr. Samir Makani

<p><span id="page3R_mcid3" class="markedContent"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">A chronic cough,</span> <span dir="ltr" role= "presentation">persistent</span> <span dir="ltr" role= "presentation">shortness of breath, and difficulty exhaling are</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">all</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">signs of chronic</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">The chronic lung condition, which can be triggered by</span> <span dir="ltr" role= "presentation">smoking</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">, infection,</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">or even asthma, is relatively common and occurs in 20 to 30 percent of</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">people who have an underlying lung disease.</span></span> <span id="page3R_mcid6" class="markedContent"><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest Samir Makani, MD, director of</span> <span dir="ltr" role= "presentation">interventional pulmonology at</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">bronchoscopy</span> <span dir="ltr" role= "presentation">at Scripps Memorial Hospital</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">Encinitas, discuss</span> <span dir="ltr" role= "presentation">what causes COPD, who</span><span dir="ltr" role= "presentation">’</span><span dir="ltr" role="presentation">s at risk, and treatment options. Dr. Makani also explains how COPD</span> <span dir="ltr" role="presentation">differs from other common lung conditions like asthma and emphysema.</span></span></p>