Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly referred to as COPD, is a group
of progressive lung diseases.
The most common are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Many people with COPD have both of these conditions.
Emphysema slowly destroys air sacs in your lungs, which interferes with outward
air flow.
Bronchitis causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, which allows
mucus to build up.
The top cause of COPD is tobacco smoking.
Long-term exposure to chemical irritants can also lead to COPD. It’s a disease that
usually takes a long time to develop.
Diagnosis usually involves imaging tests, blood tests, and lung function tests.
There’s no cure for COPD, but treatment can help ease symptoms, lower the
chance of complications, and generally improve quality of life.
Medications, supplemental oxygen therapy, and surgery are some forms of
treatment.
Untreated, COPD can lead to a faster progression of disease, heart problems, and
worsening respiratory infections.
,What are the symptoms of COPD?
• COPD makes it harder to breathe.
• Symptoms may be mild at first, beginning with intermittent coughing and shortness
of breath.
• As it progresses, symptoms can become more constant to where it can become
increasingly difficult to breathe.
• You may experience wheezing and tightness in the chest or have excess sputum
production.
• Some people with COPD have acute exacerbations, which are flare-ups of severe
symptoms.
• At first, symptoms of COPD can be quite mild. You might mistake them for a cold.
Early symptoms include:
• occasional shortness of breath, especially after exercise
• mild but recurrent cough
• needing to clear your throat often, especially first thing in the morning
You might start making subtle changes, such as avoiding stairs and skipping physical
activities.
Symptoms can get progressively worse and harder to ignore. As the lungs become more
damaged, you may experience:
• shortness of breath, after even mild exercise such as walking up a flight of stairs
• wheezing, which is a type of higher pitched noisy breathing, especially during
exhalations
• chest tightness
• chronic cough, with or without mucus
• need to clear mucus from your lungs every day
• frequent colds, flu, or other respiratory infections
• lack of energy
, In later stages of COPD, symptoms may also include:
• fatigue
• swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs
• weight loss
Immediate medical care is needed if:
• you have bluish or gray fingernails or lips, as this indicates low oxygen levels in your
blood
• you have trouble catching your breath or cannot talk
• you feel confused, muddled, or faint
• your heart is racing
Symptoms are likely to be much worse if you currently smoke or are regularly exposed to
secondhand smoke.
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, commonly referred to as COPD, is a group
of progressive lung diseases.
The most common are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Many people with COPD have both of these conditions.
Emphysema slowly destroys air sacs in your lungs, which interferes with outward
air flow.
Bronchitis causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, which allows
mucus to build up.
The top cause of COPD is tobacco smoking.
Long-term exposure to chemical irritants can also lead to COPD. It’s a disease that
usually takes a long time to develop.
Diagnosis usually involves imaging tests, blood tests, and lung function tests.
There’s no cure for COPD, but treatment can help ease symptoms, lower the
chance of complications, and generally improve quality of life.
Medications, supplemental oxygen therapy, and surgery are some forms of
treatment.
Untreated, COPD can lead to a faster progression of disease, heart problems, and
worsening respiratory infections.
,What are the symptoms of COPD?
• COPD makes it harder to breathe.
• Symptoms may be mild at first, beginning with intermittent coughing and shortness
of breath.
• As it progresses, symptoms can become more constant to where it can become
increasingly difficult to breathe.
• You may experience wheezing and tightness in the chest or have excess sputum
production.
• Some people with COPD have acute exacerbations, which are flare-ups of severe
symptoms.
• At first, symptoms of COPD can be quite mild. You might mistake them for a cold.
Early symptoms include:
• occasional shortness of breath, especially after exercise
• mild but recurrent cough
• needing to clear your throat often, especially first thing in the morning
You might start making subtle changes, such as avoiding stairs and skipping physical
activities.
Symptoms can get progressively worse and harder to ignore. As the lungs become more
damaged, you may experience:
• shortness of breath, after even mild exercise such as walking up a flight of stairs
• wheezing, which is a type of higher pitched noisy breathing, especially during
exhalations
• chest tightness
• chronic cough, with or without mucus
• need to clear mucus from your lungs every day
• frequent colds, flu, or other respiratory infections
• lack of energy
, In later stages of COPD, symptoms may also include:
• fatigue
• swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs
• weight loss
Immediate medical care is needed if:
• you have bluish or gray fingernails or lips, as this indicates low oxygen levels in your
blood
• you have trouble catching your breath or cannot talk
• you feel confused, muddled, or faint
• your heart is racing
Symptoms are likely to be much worse if you currently smoke or are regularly exposed to
secondhand smoke.
