12 Must-Know Facts About COPD

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What is COPD?

By Karen Pallarito

Many people assume that as they get older, it's normal to get short-winded climbing stairs, says Antonio Anzueto, MD, professor of medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

In fact, shortness of breath can be a sign of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition that an estimated 12 million Americans may have without knowing it (in addition to the other 12 million who have been diagnosed).

Even if you have heard of COPD, here are some surprising facts you may not know.

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