Star Trek legend Leonard Nimoy died from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, an illness most often triggered by smoking tobacco. Nimoy was diagnosed with COPD and spent the past year detailing moments of his struggle on Twitter. About a month before his death, he poignantly tweeted, “Don’t smoke. I did. Wish I never had. LLAP.”
The Star Trek star didn’t suffer alone. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third biggest killer in the U.S., causing 149,205 deaths in 2013 according to the CDC . Nevertheless, many underestimate the disease or don’t fully understand it.
According to Yahoo News , COPD actually refers to a number of conditions: most often chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which frequently occur together. COPD causes difficulty breathing through a number of symptoms, including thickened or inflamed airways, damage to the airways, or even mucus clogging the respiratory system.
Leonard Nimoy started reporting similar issues in early 2014.
I’m doing OK. Just can’t walk distances. Love my life,family, friends and followers. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 6, 2014
Giving up our beautiful home and boat at Lake Tahoe. Breathing at 6000 ft. too difficult for a former smoker. LLAP — Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) March 11, 2014
Smoking is the leading cause of COPD according to the CDC . Factors such as genetics, home and workplace air pollutants, and past respiratory infections also play a role. Nimoy quit smoking over 30 years ago, and became an active anti-smoking advocate.
I quit smoking 30 yrs ago. Not soon enough. I have COPD. Grandpa says, quit now!! LLAP — Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) January 30, 2014
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease affects about 15 million Americans. That number might be higher; low-awareness of the disease prevents people from getting checked out.
Those millions of people could likely relate to Nimoy’s struggles, but more importantly the Star Trek legend made his condition a cautionary tale to encourage people to stop smoking.
Breaking the smoking habit is tough. Worth the struggle. Save the lungs. Living with COPD is no joke. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) April 26, 2014
Quitting smoking? Great!! Drink lots of water to wash nicotine out of your system. LLAP — Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 12, 2014
Smokers, please understand. If you quit after you’re diagnosed with lung damage it’s too late. Grandpa says learn my lesson. Quit now. LLAP.
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) February 6, 2014
Nevertheless, Nimoy understood the difficulty in kicking the habit.
I went thru a program to quit cigs. Had to do it twice because I thought I could smoke a little after first time. Totally quit in 1984 LLAP — Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) March 6, 2014
I thought I could smoke “a little”. I failed. I quit totally over 30 years ago. Wish I had never started. Stay strong. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) June 10, 2014
There is no cure for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, but with careful supervision from a doctor, the symptoms can be managed. Early detection can also help improve quality of life for patients, but nearly 50 percent of people with lung problems didn’t know it could be COPD according to CDC research. Of course, the most important treatment for COPD is to stop smoking. Leonard Nimoy left this poignant message a little over a month before his tragic death. He was 83 years old.
Don’t smoke. I did. Wish I never had. LLAP
— Leonard Nimoy (@TheRealNimoy) January 11, 2015
[Image Credit: Getty Images]
What Is COPD? Leonard Nimoy’s Death Serves As Cautionary Tale is an article from: The Inquisitr News
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