Also known as CLRDs, these diseases affect the lungs and airways. They are characterized by wheezing and shortness of breath caused by an obstruction in the airway. Statistics show that chronic lower respiratory diseases led to 47.8 deaths/per 100,000 population, making it the fourth-leading cause of death in the US in 2019.
CLRD includes three health conditions — asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. According to the research, nearly 14.8 individuals have been diagnosed with COPD, while 25 million have asthma. If you have asthma or CLRD, make sure to consult your doctor. Seek prompt treatment to avoid complications.
Furthermore, contact us if you’re underinsured or uninsured and prolonging treatment due to the high medication cost. We offer affordable patient assistance programs for medications, so you don’t have to bear a huge expense. Enroll with us today.
As statistics show the high prevalence of this condition, let’s take a deeper dive to understand why CLRD is unusually common in the US:
Smoking
Cigarette contains tar, a sticky substance that stains and damages the lung tissue. It can cause severe irritation to the windpipe and swell the air tubes that damage the airways and alveoli (small air sacs) in the lungs- all contributing to CLRD and lung cancer. According to CDC, smoking kills nearly 480,000 individuals annually while it is directly linked to 90 percent of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Air Pollution
Air pollution’s health effects remain a serious health concern in the US and globally. Continuous exposure to pollution in the air can cause substantial and adverse effects on the body’s respiratory system. This is because air pollution contains poisonous and harmful substances, which can irritate the airways and even cause airway inflammation when inhaled.
When air pollutants affect the lungs, you may experience the following symptoms: wheezing, chest pain, and asthma. Furthermore, too much exposure to air pollution can lead to a high risk of heart attacks, strokes, and premature deaths.
Genetics
Sometimes chronic lower respiratory diseases may be transferred to you through your genes. The broad range of respiratory diseases that lead the way in lung genetics are severe asthma, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and tracheoesophageal fistula.
Though you can’t do much about your genes, you still can lower the risk of developing CLRD by following prevention tips such as:
- Quit smoking
- Wear a mask when you go outdoors
- Minimize the use of chemicals in your home
- Keep your house clean and dust-free
- Take medication
At The RX Helper, we offer affordable medication programs to help underinsured and uninsured people seek proper treatment to live healthy lives without skipping medication because of the high cost. We strive to make medication affordable. Click here to enroll now.
