Starke County has a relatively high smoking rate, meaning it also has an increased rate of residents diagnosed with COPD.
The disease, which stands for Chronic Pulmonary Obstructive Disease, is typically associated with shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and weakness. COPD is made up of chronic emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is one of the leading health conditions in Starke County. IU Health Starke Hospital Respiratory Therapist Brittany Ward says smoking is the biggest contributing factor, but environmental and occupational triggers can also cause COPD. It has two components — chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Patients can have one or both. Ward says emphysema is more common in smokers. Continue reading
