By Steven Reinberg
EmpowHer's HealthDay Reporter

THURSDAY, June 12 (HealthDay News) -- In people suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the expectorant carbocisteine seems to help slow worsening of symptoms, Chinese researchers report.

COPD is a progressive, destructive disease of the lungs, usually brought on by smoking, for which there's no known cure. Symptoms include restricted breathing, secretion of mucus, oxidative stress and inflammation of the airway.

WEDNESDAY, May 21 (HealthDay News) -- Simple patient management can significantly reduce hospitalization and emergency room visits by people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a U.S. study.

For those of you who are interested, the American Lung Association is pushing the Centers for Disease Control to fund a program to combat Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

According to the ALA Web site, COPD kills 130,000 people a year and is the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. The $6 million in funding would go to better data collection and awareness. The site doesn't note whether other programs would be cut to help fund the project.

If you would like to help out, you can write your Congressman/woman by filling out this form on the ALA's Web site.

My maternal grandmother was diagnosed with emphysema, one type of COPD, and passed away when I was in high school. She was a heavy smoker, and had complications from not only emphysema, but also pancreatic cancer, also likely caused by smoking. In fact, my favorite picture of us together is one where she is holding me, as a toddler, on her lap: beer in one hand and cigarette in the other!

I wanted to share one of the best “smoking quizzes” that I have found, and used frequently when I did smoking cessation consultations with individuals who were interested and motivated to quit. With no other name than the empirically-titled, “Why I Smoke Test”, the questions and answers help individuals pinpoint the reason(s) behind their smoking behavior, whether they smoke for stimulation, relaxation and/or pleasure; if they are smoking out of habit, “handling” or craving, or a combination of some (or all) of these.

The power of a cigarette. I've heard cigarettes referred to as one of the greatest drug-delivery devices ever invented. Think about it: they're relatively cheap, legal, accessible, the drug (nicotine) provides the user with either a quick pick-me-up or a nice stress-reducer, which ever is needed. And, it is always there for them. Smokers can (usually) take more breaks, have some more social time outside; some even have their own special designated place!

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is usually discovered later in life. Have you been diagnosed? Tell us your stories.

(HealthDay News) -- A new clinical guideline for diagnosing and treating the lung illness known as stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been released by the American College of Physicians (ACP).

COPD, typically caused by smoking, causes a gradual loss of lung function. It affects more than 5 percent of American adults and is the fourth leading cause of death and the 12th leading cause of illness in the United States. Symptoms range from chronic cough and wheezing to shortness of breath and significant limitation of activity.

According to the guideline:

FRIDAY, Dec. 28 (HealthDay News) -- People suffering with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may find that combining two currently available medications halves their risk of death within two years as well and improves their overall health status and quality of life, new research suggests.