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Sly Stone, an icon of funk music, has died at the age of 82 following a prolonged battle with COPD, a chronic lung condition that can block airflow and cause difficulty breathing.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved dad, Sly Stone of Sly and the Family Stone,” a statement shared with USA TODAY on June 9 reads. “After a prolonged battle with COPD and other underlying health issues, Sly passed away peacefully, surrounded by his three children, his closest friend, and his extended family.”
The statement continued: “While we mourn his absence, we take solace in knowing that his extraordinary musical legacy will continue to resonate and inspire for generations to come.”
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, describes an ongoing group of lung conditions that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It is the result of damaged lung tissue, which leads to inflammation that irritates the airway and limits airflow. Because such damage usually worsens over time, “COPD mostly affects people who are 50 or older,” Dr. Shawn Aaron, senior scientist of the inflammation and chronic disease program at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute in Canada, previously told USA TODAY.
Here’s what medical experts want you to know about COPD.
What are the symptoms of COPD?
Common symptoms of COPD include wheezing, chest tightness, a painful and persistent cough (with and without accompanying mucus) and fatigue. “Another of the most worrisome features of the disease can be periodic flare-ups, called exacerbations, which can greatly diminish your ability to breathe,” Dr. Meilan King Han, pulmonary diseases specialist at University of Michigan Health, previously told USA TODAY. Due to the severity of such episodes, “some COPD patients can end up hospitalized,” she added.
COPD also makes people more vulnerable to respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, COVID-19 and tuberculosis. Related complications are why “COPD is a leading cause of death both in America and worldwide,” Dr. David Mannino, chief medical officer at the COPD Foundation in Florida, previously told USA TODAY.
At least 15 million adults have some form of COPD, per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but Mannino said it could be twice that number, because the condition often goes misdiagnosed or undiagnosed.
What causes COPD?
The damaged lung tissue associated with COPD is most often caused by long-term exposure to irritants, such as fumes, dust, chemicals or smoke. This is why “cigarette smoke is the main cause of COPD in high-income countries like the United States,” Mannino said. “However, not everyone who smokes will develop COPD symptoms, and not all people with COPD have a history of smoking.” Indeed, some 25% of people with COPD have never smoked a cigarette.
“Exposure to outdoor pollution or indoor cooking smoke and fumes is a major cause of COPD,” said Aaron, especially in developing countries. He added that some people also develop the condition because of poor early lung development related to premature birth.
Genetic factors, early-life respiratory infections and a history of asthma “can all also contribute to the development of COPD,” Han said.
How is COPD treated?
Regardless of what’s causing the condition, COPD is treatable. “The mainstays of therapy have historically been inhaled bronchodilators and inhaled steroids,” according to Han. Such medications can reduce breathlessness, improve stamina and lower one’s risk of flare-ups, Mannino said.
He added that non-pharmacologic therapies are also helpful in reducing symptoms and risk of flare-ups. “These include participating in pulmonary rehabilitation, using oxygen therapy as prescribed and adhering to vaccination guidelines,” he said. And you can’t overemphasize the importance of quitting smoking, added Aaron.
“By adhering to medication recommendations, avoiding infection and irritating fumes, eating foods that support lung health and strengthening lung tissue by getting plenty of cardiovascular activity,” said Mannino, “individuals with COPD can maintain a good quality of life.”
Contributing: Daryl Austin and Marco della Cava
