What is COPD?

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  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable disease that makes it difficult to empty air out of the lungs. This difficulty in emptying air out of the lungs (airflow obstruction) can lead to shortness of breath or feeling tired because you are working harder to breathe.
  • Shortness of breath, cough, and/or mucus production that does not go away, are common signs and symptoms of COPD. They indicate the need to visit a health care provider who will evaluate if you require a breathing test called spirometry. Spirometry is a simple lung function test that measures airway obstruction.
  • COPD can be caused by many factors, although the most common cause is active cigarette smoking. Environmental factors and genetics may also cause COPD. Quitting smoking is the single most effective way to prevent future development of COPD.
  • COPD cannot be cured, but effective treatment is available that helps patients feel better and slows the damage to the lungs. Medicines for COPD include bronchodilators to control symptoms, influenza vaccines to prevent infections, and inhaled steroids to reduce the inflammation in the lungs. Besides this, non-pharmacological treatment, such as physical exercise, is also an important treatment option.
  • Reference:
  • ATS PATIENT INFORMATION SERIES & PATIENT HEALTH SERIES
  • http://patients.thoracic.org/information-series/index.php

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