Over 12 million Americans are diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. It is the third leading cause of death in America and some people are even unaware of its devastating effects on the lungs. While smoking is the main cause for emphysema, a leading COPD symptom, other contributing factors for COPD are: asthma, genetics, and pollution or fumes. The oxygen concentrator specialists at Oxygen Always want you to know that if you have COPD, you are not alone. Check out these 6 celebrities that also have COPD:
- Dean Martin. The iconic actor and a member of the “Rat Pack” was often seen with cigarettes in his hand. As a result, he developed emphysema due to his heavy smoking.
- Loni Anderson. She is a celebrity spokesman now for COPD. Her dad had emphysema and both her parents had chronic bronchitis. She has been diagnosed with secondhand smoke syndrome, which is a major risk factor for COPD.
- Christy Turlington. Supermodel Christy Turlington is the youngest on our list. She was only 31 when diagnosed with early-stage emphysema. She has been a smoker for over 15 years and is a perfect example that COPD can happen at any age.
- Johnny Carson. He lived in an era when smoking was glamorous. The host of the “Tonight Show” died of emphysema when he was 79.
- King Edward VII. You may not know that King Edward of England was a lifelong smoker. He suffered from severe chronic bronchitis, which is one of the two forms of COPD.
- Leonard Bernstein. This lifetime conductor of the New York Philharmonic and composer of award-winning scores, including “West Side Story”, suffered from progressive lung failure.
The families of most of the celebrities listed, have joined together with the Drive4COPD campaign to raise awareness about COPD and the need for early detection. It is also important to speak with your healthcare provider about your options for oxygen therapy. Oxygen Always offers easy-to-use, portable oxygen concentrators that can help COPD patients breathe a better tomorrow.
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