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 often gets worse over time. You can't undo the damage to your lungs. But you can take steps to help 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.

Sometimes your symptoms may get worse over a short time and stay bad. This is called a COPD exacerbation (say "ig-ZAS-ur-BAY-shun") or flare-up. A flare-up can be dangerous, so it's important to know what to do and take action. Your doctor can help you make a plan to manage flare-ups.

Symptoms of a flare-up include:

• More shortness of breath than usual.
• Coughing more than usual.
• A change in the amount, color, or thickness of mucus.

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.

Treatment for COPD can help you feel better and prevent flare-ups. Some treatments may also slow the disease and help you live longer.

• Medicines called bronchodilators are used to open or relax your airways. They can help you breathe easier and prevent breathing problems.
• Other medicines may be used to help you feel better and prevent or treat flare-ups.
• Oxygen therapy boosts the amount of oxygen in your blood and helps you breathe easier.
• Self-care means things you can do for yourself to help manage COPD. These are things like:
  • Trying to quit smoking or cutting back as much as you can.
  • Asking your doctor, pharmacist, or respiratory therapist how to use each of your inhalers correctly.
  • Eating healthy.
  • Staying active.
  • Avoiding colds, infections, and other things that may trigger your symptoms.
  • Staying current on vaccines.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation (rehab) can give you education and support that help you stay as healthy as possible.
• You may choose palliative care to help relieve your shortness of breath and improve your quality of life.
• You can plan ahead for what kind of care you want if you become very ill. This is called advance care planning.
• Surgery or certain procedures may be an option for some people.

There are many things you can do to help manage COPD. They may help slow the disease, help you feel better, and help prevent flare-ups.

Quit smoking.

If you smoke, try to quit or cut back as much as you can. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about stop-smoking programs and medicines.

Take your medicines as prescribed.

Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Learn how to use each of your inhalers correctly.

Try to avoid things that can irritate your lungs.

These things include secondhand smoke, chemical fumes, factory dust, soot, and air pollution.

Stay as active as possible.

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

Eat healthy.

Tell your doctor if you are losing weight without trying.

Find ways to breathe easier.

Learn how to conserve energy while doing daily activities. Learn breathing methods that help when you are more short of breath than usual.

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

Wash your hands often. You may want to wear a mask when you go to public indoor places. Try to avoid sick people. Get a flu vaccine every year. Stay up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines. Get the pneumococcal, whooping cough, and shingles vaccines. Ask your doctor if the RSV vaccine is right for you.