Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is now the third\u2011leading cause of death in the United States and burdens more than sixteen million adults. Around 1.2 million of these live with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Stage III disease. Stage III of COPD is defined by a fifty\u2011to\u2011seventy\u2011percent deficit in forced\u2011expiratory volume that usually calls for continuous or nocturnal oxygen therapy. In patients suffering from GOLD Stage III, even a modest change in cough quality is often the first physiological sign that points to a lower\u2011airway exacerbation\u2014or worse, a bacterial pneumonia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is now the third\u2011leading cause of death in the United States and burdens more than sixteen million adults. Around 1.2 million of these live with Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Stage III disease. Stage III of COPD is defined by a fifty\u2011to\u2011seventy\u2011percent deficit in forced\u2011expiratory volume that … <\/p>\n