Men V Women V COPD

[larrynz]

www.dailyindia.com:80/show/162363.php/COPD-varies-in-men-and-women

Washington, Aug 2: A new study has found that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and severe emphysema varies in men and women.
The study found that women had shorter smoking histories and lower body mass index than men, and experienced more breathlessness, lower lung function and decreased exercise capacity compared to men. They also reported more depression, a lower quality of well-being and scored more poorly on a test for overall mental health.

Radiological assessment showed that women had less extensive emphysema than men, with smaller emphysematous lesions. Histological analysis of lung tissue in 101 patients showed that women airways had thicker walls, and disproportionately reduced airway lumens in comparison to men.
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I have just picked out little bits for you to read, use the link if you want to read the rest.
I think it explains a lot, why the women on the forums are younger for example, there is a difference between men and woman with COPD and woman suffer more.
This information should be pushed a bit more, in NZ at least more girls are smoking than boys, if only they understood it will hurt them more.

[the bear]

I guess that governments love the money generated by tobacco sales more than the people that they are supposed to serve.
Banning tobacco makes sense to me and legalize less harmful stuff. b.

[LindaNY]

Very interesting Larry. Thanks for sharing it. It will be interesting to see others comments.

Let's see how I compare, I'm a 64 year old, 5'1" female and weigh 114. BMI is 21.5

Until last year, I could hike at altitude in the Rocky Mountains with an FEV1 under 30. Slowly, but still could do it.

I do get very SOB, but have never suffered any depression and don't intend to. I love and appreciate every day.

A lot of people, especially females ( and this is the Psych Rehab Counselor talking) seem to enjoy wallowing in self pity and the "poor me" complex.
They have a strong need to be cared for and taken care of.

[cocojax]

I'm with you Linda, we could whine and carry on about poor me, but at the end of the day I could get hit by a bus...so I enjoy every day. Yes I get SOB but I sit down catch it again and go about my business.
Laughter is the best medicine. Happiness is all around us. So go for it and enjoy!

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Thanks Larry; I've read similar reports lately.

The questionaiire they're referring to I'm sure is the St George's Q.....

It still comes down in many ways (though far from all becasue being SOB is still SOB) to the psychology of the disease and how we deal with it. Passive; aggressive; in stride; ......all based on our current situations; physically, psychologically all of it can also dictate same. Whether we "interact" or don't, whether we have a support network or family.....our current financial situation in life, what meds we have or don't.......there's so many factors.

I'm not sure I agree with you Linda on your assumption of many of the females with COPD. Perhaps it's becasue many are willing to talk about "how they feel" vs the men?

Personally; I don't know. I can only speak for "me" and possibly like you and Ellen, I try to fill my days as best I can with the postive for I KNOW an over abundance of the negative can wear me down and take a toll.

[LindaNY]

Jackie, I should not have generalized about COPD and female depression. Sorry.

My experience as a Psych Counselor has taught me that women seem to get depressed much more than men, generally, not just with COPD.

Ellen, BRAVO!! We do have to live each day to the fullest and just do our best .

[larrynz]

This subject came up on Life With COPD as well, my thoughts are that women in our society have always been seen as caregivers, so finding themselves needing care is tough, hence depression.

[the bear]

As a male I can very strongly empathize with any one that is depressed for any reason. Not just COPD. I really do not want to go there here but I just want the female side to know guys get down too.

[Blossom/Jackie W.]

Hmmmm I see where you're coming from Linda and Larry you may be onto something. And Bear.....you're right. Men DO get depressed and down; maybe they tend to hide it more than women thus we don't "see" it as much?

[LindaNY]

Oh I'm not saying that men don't get depressed, because I have seen many institutionalized for just that.

It's just that the proportion of depressed woman vs men ( at least in the NYS Facility I worked in ) was much higher.