COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a disease that makes it hard to breathe. It is considered a progressive illness, which means that it will get worse over time.http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two main conditions that make up COPD, but COPD can also refer to damage caused by chronic asthmatic bronchitis. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/ds00916

The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) estimates that 12 million adults have COPD, and another 12 million are undiagnosed or developing COPD.http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html Further, COPD is a leading cause of death and illness worldwide. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/ds00916 Most people with COPD are former or current smokers and, in fact, smoking is the leading cause of COPD. In addition, long-term exposure to lung irritants, including air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust, can exacerbate COPD. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/ds00916 Once your lungs are damaged they cannot be fixed. Treatment options focus on controlling symptoms and trying to reduce additional damage.

This article will address why people get COPD, how to prevent COPD and highlight some typical treatment strategies. If you think that you might have COPD or are at risk for COPD, it is important to schedule a visit with your physician immediately.

In the United States, emphysema and bronchitis are the leading causes of COPD (and often people have both illnesses at the same time). They cause different types of damage in the lungs, both which impact the ability to breathe. In emphysema, the walls between air sacs are damaged, causing them to lose their shape and become floppy. This lack of elasticity can actually destroy the walls of the air sacs, leading to fewer and larger air sacs instead of many tiny ones. This means your breathing is less productive. In chronic obstructive bronchitis, the lining of the airways is always inflamed, causing the lining to thicken. The thickening is a layer of mucus, which contributes to difficulty breathing. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html

COPD is a disease that builds gradually and sometimes it will not be diagnosed until there is quite a bit of damage already in the lungs. Early symptoms Individuals with COPD may first notice are increased breathlessness and a cough that doesn’t go away. http://www.copdfoundation.org/patients_caregivers/about_chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease Some other symptoms are chronic coughing (with and without discharge), wheezing, the need to clear the throat repeatedly and/or tightness in the chest. http://www.copdfoundation.org/patients_caregivers/about_chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease/symptoms

One way that physicians can test for COPD is to have a patient take a spirometry test, which is a a breathing test. It measures how well your lungs work by reviewing how much air you can blow in one second and how much air you can blow in six seconds. (Sometimes it is also called a pulmonary function test or a lung function test.) http://www.copdfoundation.org/patients_caregivers/about_chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease/getting_tested Sometimes, a physician will also order a chest x-ray or chest tomography (CT) scan to look at this inside of a patient’s chest. Alternatively, a arterial blood gas test may be ordered to examine the oxygen level in your blood, which provides valuable information regarding how your entire pulmonary system is working. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_Diagnosis.html

While there is no cure for COPD, there are ways to successfully manage the long term, chronic condition.

One of the most obvious ways to reduce the risk for additional damage to the lungs is to stop smoking. Quitting smoking is not easy, but now there are many medications (like nicotine replacement patches) and support networks available to help smokers stop reaching for their next cigarette. A physician will have a list of smoking cessation resources.

There are several groups of medicines that physicians can select to address the symptoms (and sometimes complications from) COPD. Some are taken regularly and some are only taken when they are needed.

Bronchodilators help to relax the muscles around the airways and need to be inhaled. Some are short-term medications, used just before vigorous activity, and some are long-term, which mean they need to be used daily to help open airways. They also help to relieve coughing and shortness of breath. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_Treatments.html

Inhaled steroids reduce airway inflammation, which eases breathing. However, using this type of medicine for a long time is not recommended because it can increase your risk of high blood pressure, cataracts and diabetes as well as weaken the bones. Most physicians reserve these medications for patients with moderate or severe COPD. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/DS00916/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

Antibiotics are needed to treat respiratory infections (acute bronchitis, pneumonia and flu), which aggravate COPD.

Vaccines such as the flu shot or pneumococcal vaccine are highly recommended for people with COPD because getting a lung infection on top of COPD is a very serious problem. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_Treatments.html

Surgery is sometimes an option when medicines are not working enough. During a lung volume surgery, the surgeon takes out small pieces of damaged lung tissue. The space created by the removed tissue will help the lungs and diaphragm work better together. This surgery can be risky, however. In severe cases, a lung transplant is recommended, but is only an option for people with emphysema meeting specific criteria. Transplantation improves quality of life, but possibly not length of life. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/DS00916/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

Oxygen therapy helps deliver oxygen to the lungs. The therapy is quite portable, now, and people can bring their oxygen tanks with them. This type of therapy may improve heart function, exercise capacity, depression, mental clarity and quality of life. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/DS00916/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

According to the Mayo Clinic, pulmonary rehabilitation may help to reduce hospital stays while increasing ability to function in everyday life. It is similar to a physical therapy program, combining education with exercise. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/DS00916/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs http://www.copdfoundation.org/patients_caregivers/about_chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease/treatment_options

Even with sustained treatment, sometime symptoms can get worse, which is called acute exacerbation. It needs to be addressed or lung failure is risked. Sometimes, exacerbations are caused by respiratory infection or sometimes it is because of temperature or air pollution changes. When exacerbations occur, you may need additional medications, supplemental oxygen or treatment in the hospital. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/DS00916/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

Over time, there are ways to prevent COPD from getting worse. Try:

• Quitting smoking
• Avoiding second hand smoke
• Avoiding other lung irritants and keep your home clean to avoid excess dust mites
• Maintaining regular care under the supervision of a physician
• Taking your medications as prescribed
• Planning for emergency flair ups
• Becoming physically active to increase lung capacity
• Eating healthy foods and maintain a healthy weight to be strong for COPD symptoms

COPD can be difficult to deal with, knowing that there is no cure. Make sure to seek support from your family and friends. They can help monitor your condition and your mental well-being. Also, ask your physician or local hospital about COPD support groups in your area. Support groups featuring patients facing similar outcomes can be very comforting.

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a doctor before using the information presented here.