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What is COPD?
...understand Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease COPD is a common lung disease that obstructs the airways, making breathing difficult. COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Patients with COPD include those with chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
What are the symptoms of COPD?In many patients, the earliest symptom of COPD is a cough that won’t go away, frequently accompanied by sputum (phlegm) production. The most characteristic symptom of the disease is shortness of breath on exertion, such as when walking quickly or climbing stairs. As the disease progresses, this shortness of breath becomes more severe, and patients may have trouble walking even a short distance or performing everyday activities such as showering and dressing. What causes COPD?The most important cause of COPD is cigarette smoking. Pipe, cigar, and other types of tobacco smoking are also risk factors for COPD, and passive ("secondhand") exposure to cigarette smoke also contributes to respiratory symptoms and COPD. Dusts and chemicals (vapors, irritants, and fumes) encountered on the job can also cause COPD when the exposures are sufficiently intense or prolonged. How can I prevent COPD?Quitting smoking is the single most effective way to prevent the development of COPD. If you already have COPD, quitting smoking can also to slow or stop the progression of the disease. It is never too late to quit smoking. How do I know if I have COPD?If you have
you should ask your doctor about COPD. The earlier COPD is detected, the better the results of treatment. A diagnosis of COPD should be confirmed by a lung function test. This is best done by spirometry, which is performed in a health care clinic, to measure forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). How is COPD treated?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. Other treatments that may be appropriate for some COPD patients are pulmonary rehabilitation programs, oxygen therapy and, in very limited situations, surgery. How can I find out more about COPD?For more information about COPD talk to your doctor, or contact the patient groups that are US COPD Coalition Partners. |
