COPD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

"Are you often short of breath when doing things like running errands or climbing stairs? Learn if you are at risk for having COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing hard for the 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with it. Millions more suffer from COPD but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. COPD can limit your ability to work or even do simple daily tasks. COPD can also make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Could you have COPD?

The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, so if you smoke or used to smoke, you are at a higher risk of having COPD. Exposure to air pollution in the home or at work, family history, and respiratory infections like pneumonia also increase your risk.

How is COPD diagnosed?

COPD is diagnosed using a simple breathing test called spirometry.

How is COPD treated?

If you have COPD, the most important steps you can take to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life are:

• Quit smoking. For people who smoke, the most important part of treatment is to stop smoking.
• Avoid tobacco smoke and other air pollutants at home and at work..."
  COPD 

COPD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

"Are you often short of breath when doing things such as running errands or climbing stairs? Learn if you are at risk for having COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with COPD. Millions more suffer from COPD, but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. COPD can limit your ability to work or even perform simple daily tasks.

Could you have COPD?

The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, so if you smoke or used to smoke, you are at a higher risk of having COPD. Exposure to air pollution in the home or at work, family history, and respiratory infections like pneumonia also increase your risk.

Symptoms of COPD include:

• Frequent coughing or wheezing
• Excess phlegm or sputum
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble taking a deep breath

 

How is COPD diagnosed?

COPD is diagnosed using a simple breathing test called spirometry..."
COPD 

World COPD Day - November 18th

"The 19th annual World COPD Dayexternal icon takes place on November 18, 2020 and has the goal of raising awareness and presenting new knowledge about this disease. This year’s theme for World COPD Day is “Living Well With COPD – Everybody, Everywhere.” While there is no cure for COPD, there are ways to help current patients live well and actions that can prevent new cases.  COPD – which stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – includes the chronic lung conditions of chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which are characterized by airflow obstruction and breathing-related problems. COPD is a major cause of illness, with an estimated 300 million cases worldwide, and is the 3^rd leading cause of death globally.

The leading preventable cause of COPD is cigarette smoking, and prevention efforts have focused on limiting this exposure. Controlling exposure to other harmful agents can also help reduce the number of COPD cases. Occupational exposures are important causes of COPD, contributing to an estimated 14% of all cases and 31% of cases among never smokers (Blanc 2019).

Workplace agents associated with COPD include:

• mineral dusts (coal mine dust, silica, asbestos),
• organic dusts (cotton, wood, grains),
• metal/welding fumes (cadmium),
• diesel/engine exhaust fumes,
• asphalt/tar fumes or vapors in road and roofing operations,
• smoke from fires, and
• other chemical gases or vapors.

Various actions can minimize exposures to these work-related COPD agents and prevent the onset of new cases and worsening of existing cases..."
COPD 

COPD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

"Are you often short of breath when doing things such as running errands or climbing stairs? Learn if you are at risk for having COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with COPD. Millions more suffer from COPD, but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. COPD can limit your ability to work or even perform simple daily tasks.

Could you have COPD?

The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, so if you smoke or used to smoke, you are at a higher risk of having COPD. Exposure to air pollution in the home or at work, family history, and respiratory infections like pneumonia also increase your risk.

Symptoms of COPD include:

• Frequent coughing or wheezing
• Excess phlegm or sputum
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble taking a deep breath.."
  COPD

COPD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

"Do you suffer from a frequent cough or wheeze? Are you often short of breath when doing things like running errands or climbing stairs? Your lungs could be trying to tell you something. Learn if you are at risk for having COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with COPD. Millions more suffer from COPD, but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. COPD can limit your ability to work or even perform simple daily tasks.

Could you have COPD?

The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, so if you smoke or used to smoke, you are at a higher risk of having COPD. Exposure to air pollution in the home or at work, family history, and respiratory infections like pneumonia also increase your risk..."

COPD

Living With COPD

"Fighting for each breath is only part of the struggle for those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Learn how people’s lives are affected by COPD and what can be done to manage it.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing hard for the 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with COPD. Millions more have COPD but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. Some symptoms of COPD are frequent coughing or wheezing, excess phlegm or sputum, and shortness of breath. Adults with COPD are more likely to be unable to work and have trouble with daily activities.¹ These problems are even worse for those who smoke and who aren’t physically active.¹ If you have COPD, there are things you can do to make life easier..."
COPD

National COPD Awareness Month

"Do you suffer from a frequent cough or wheeze? Are you often short of breath when doing things like running errands or climbing stairs? Your lungs could be trying to tell you something. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing difficult for millions of Americans. November is National COPD Awareness Month. Learn if you are at risk for having COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with COPD. Millions more suffer from COPD, but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. COPD can limit your ability to work or even perform simple daily tasks.

Could you have COPD?

The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, so if you smoke or used to smoke, you are at a higher risk of having COPD. Exposure to air pollutants like cigarette smoke or outdoor smog in the home or at work, family history, and respiratory infections like pneumonia also increase your risk..."
COPD

The Burden of COPD

"Fighting for each breath is only part of the struggle for those living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Chronic lower respiratory disease, primarily COPD, is the third leading cause of death in the United States. According to a new report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, COPD is linked to an increased number of people being unable to work and decreased activity. This outcome was even more pronounced for those who are current smokers and are physically inactive..."
COPD