Star Trek Actor Leonard Nimoy’s Death from COPD: What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Friday, February 27, 2015The Oregon Clinic Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is one of the most common lung diseases, typically afflicting current or former smokers, and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Leonard Nimoy, the 83-year-old Star Trek actor known for playing Spock, passed away from this disease just shortly after announcing his diagnosis. While it had been 30 years since the actor gave up cigarettes, his death is not only a reminder of the importance of giving up smoking, but getting accurately diagnosed and treated as well.The CDC estimates that while 24 million Americans may suffer from COPD, only about half have been diagnosed. However, a diagnosis can help lead patients to adopt lifestyle changes and effective treatments.“Lots of patients have a nihilistic attitude when they receive a diagnosis of COPD because they don’t know that there are very effective treatments for the disease,” says Dr. Wayne Strauss, a Pulmonary Medicine specialist at Th...