What is copd?

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe because air doesn't flow easily in and out of your lungs.

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are two lung problems that are types of COPD.

• Chronic bronchitis. When you have chronic bronchitis, the airways that carry air to the lungs (bronchial tubes) get inflamed and make a lot of mucus. This can narrow or block the airways, making it hard for you to breathe. It can also make you cough.
• Emphysema. With this disease, the tiny air sacs in the lungs are damaged and lose their stretch. Less air gets in and out of the lungs, which makes you feel short of breath.

COPD gets worse over time. You can't undo the damage to your lungs. But you can take steps to prevent more damage and to feel better.

The main symptoms are:

• A cough that will not go away.
• Mucus that comes up when you cough.
• Shortness of breath that gets worse with activity.

At times, your symptoms may suddenly flare up and get much worse. This is a called a COPD exacerbation (say "egg-ZASS-er-BAY-shun"). When this happens, your usual symptoms quickly get worse and stay bad. This can be dangerous. You may have to go to the hospital.

To find out if you have COPD, your doctor may:

• Do a physical exam and listen to your lungs.
• Ask you questions about your past health and whether you smoke or have been exposed to other things that can irritate your lungs.
• Have you do breathing tests, including spirometry, to find out how well your lungs work.
• Do a chest X-ray to look at your lungs.
• Do a one time test for Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT). People who have a low AAT are more likely to get emphysema.
• Do other tests to help rule out other problems that could be causing your symptoms.

COPD may be treated with medicines and oxygen, along with self-care.

• Medicines called bronchodilators are used to open or relax your airways. They can help you breathe easier. There are two types:
  • Short-acting bronchodilators ease your symptoms. They are considered a good first choice for treating stable COPD in a person whose symptoms come and go (intermittent symptoms).
  • Long-acting bronchodilators help prevent breathing problems. They help people whose symptoms do not go away (persistent symptoms).
• Oxygen therapy boosts the amount of oxygen in your blood and helps you breathe easier.
• Self-care means the things you can do for yourself to help manage your COPD. They are things like:
  • Quitting smoking.
  • Eating well.
  • Staying active.
  • Avoiding colds, infections, and other things that may trigger your symptoms.
  • Staying current on vaccines.

A lung (pulmonary) rehab program can help you learn to manage your disease. This program teaches you how to breathe easier, exercise, and eat well.

You can't undo the damage to your lungs from COPD. But you can take steps to prevent more damage and to feel better.

Quit smoking.

This is the most important thing you can do to slow down the disease and improve your quality of life.

Avoid things that can irritate your lungs.

These things include smoke and air pollution.

Stay as active as possible.

Try to do activities and exercises that build muscle strength and help your heart.

Eat well.

It will help you keep up your strength.

Find ways to breathe easier.

Learn breath-training methods—such as breathing through pursed lips—to improve airflow in and out of your lungs. Learn ways to clear your lungs that can help you save energy and oxygen.

Avoid infections such as COVID-19, colds, and the flu.

Wash your hands often. Get a flu vaccine every year. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. And ask your doctor about getting the pneumococcal and whooping cough (pertussis) shots.