What's the cost of poor health? A lot more than you may think. The nation's 10 most expensive medical conditions cost about $500 billion to treat in 2005, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). This includes money spent on visits to doctors' offices, clinics and emergency departments, hospital stays, home health care, and prescription medications.

More than 32 million Americans are living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)--a chronic condition that has no known cure. Fortunately, there are treatments available to help you breathe easier. In addition, follow these tips to help manage your COPD symptoms and reduce the risk of flare-ups.

For COPD sufferers, flare-ups can come on suddenly-and seemingly from out of nowhere. But according to experts, there are a host of hidden COPD triggers that may be exacerbating your symptoms. In addition to talking to your doctor about your symptoms, it's important to identify your COPD triggers and avoid them. That way, you can help to reduce the risk of flare-ups and the impact that COPD has on your life.

The Negative Effects of SmokeSmoking is harmful to your health, even if you don’t have any breathing problems. But for people with asthma, smoking can trigger their symptoms and make them much worse, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).