Birmingham, AL -- (SBWIRE) -- 11/18/2014 -- *To find out more about this COPD clinical trial in Birmingham, AL, visit Achieve Clinical Research on the web (http://www.achieveclinical.com/trial/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/) or contact them directly at (205) 380-6434.

Why Are Research Volunteers Needed?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a deadly illness that remains very difficult to treat effectively. Only heart disease and cancer cause more deaths each year than this respiratory disease. According to the American Lung Association, the total cost attributed to COPD was nearly $50 billion in 2010. Research volunteers are needed now more than ever.

As advanced as medicine has become, COPD is still very difficult to manage over the long run. New therapies can’t be perfected without the use of clinical trials. Volunteers at Achieve have played an instrumental role in helping to ensure that the best medical care is provided to others living with respiratory illnesses.

The direct benefits of participating in a clinical trial in Birmingham include:
- Qualified individuals are gaining access to premium medical care at no cost
- Participants don’t need to have health insurance
- Participants are compensated for time and travel expenses

Common Indications of COPD

It’s not uncommon for some of the symptoms of COPD to be mistaken as signs of aging. Unfortunately, this has lead to a large number of undiagnosed cases which in turn is one of the reasons this disease remains so deadly. Managing the symptoms is possible, but COPD patients need to begin treatment as soon as possible. None of the following indications should ever be ignored:

- Chronic coughing
- Abnormal shortness of breath
- Excessive wheezing
- Coughing up excessive amounts of mucus or phlegm
- Blood in the mucus
- Abnormal sensation of tightness in the chest

Qualifying for a Clinical Trial in Birmingham

No one is enrolled unless they meet a specific set of requirements laid out for the study. The inclusion/exclusion criteria will vary depending on the type of trial and medical condition. The experienced physicians at Achieve will screen each person who applies for enrollment. Qualified applicants must also provide a signed informed consent agreement before they can be accepted into the trial.

A member of the research team will inform each participant about the procedures, methods, risks and benefits involved in the study. By signing their form, each participant is voluntarily agreeing to adhere to the important requirements laid out in the study protocol. Participants do retain the right to withdraw themselves from the clinical trial at any time.

Achieve’s Clinical Research Facility

Achieve Clinical Research is one of Birmingham’s premier research facilities, specializing in Phase II-IV clinical trials. Their team has the therapeutic experience and resources to conduct clinical studies for a variety of conditions such as osteoarthritis (OA), lupus, migraine headaches and more. Their fully-equipped research site can easily support more intensive clinical studies, while providing a comfortable and engaging experience for research volunteers.

For Sponsors and CRO’s

Achieve Clinical Research is only a 20 minute drive from Birmingham International Airport and right next door to two of the city’s major medical centers. Their Principal Investigators have more than a decade of experience in the clinical trial industry. Since 1998, Achieve has built up an extensive network of local physicians and medical specialists. Find out more at http://www.achieveclinical.com/cro-sponsors/.

About Achieve Clinical Research
Achieve Clinical Research conducts a wide range of clinical trials in Birmingham, AL. For more information about these research opportunities, please visit their website (http://www.achieveclinical.com/trial/) or contact them directly at (205) 380-6434.