Patients with advanced cancer, AIDS, and some other major chronic progressive diseases may appear cachectic.
And because COPD is a progressive disease that can't be slowed without treatment — and because it's the fourth leading cause of death in the U.S. — it's critical to catch it as soon as possible.
It is a progressive disease that makes its victims increasingly unable to move.
"The awareness of a progressive disease with likelihood of further deterioration would impact on the ability to continue in many types of jobs," Sano says.
Boxer - usually occurs at around two months of age as a slowly progressive disease.