Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
(COPD)
Key points
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) prevents airflow to the lungs, causing breathing problems.
- It is a leading cause of death in the United States.
- Smoking is the main cause of COPD, but nonsmokers can get it.
- Talk with your doctor if you have COPD symptoms or previously smoked.
What it is
- COPD is a group of lung diseases that get worse over time.
- The most common COPD types are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
- There is no cure for COPD, but it can be treated.
- Nearly 16 million U.S. adults have COPD, and many more do not know they have it.
Symptoms
Common signs and symptoms include:
- Frequent coughing or wheezing.
- Shortness of breath doing everyday activities.
- Trouble taking deep breaths.
- Excess phlegm or mucus.
Complications
COPD is 1 of the top 10 causes of death in the U.S.
People with COPD are more likely to have difficulty:
- Working or doing usual activities.
- Walking or climbing stairs.
- Concentrating, remembering, or making decisions.
They are also more likely to have:
- Other chronic diseases like asthma, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Depression or mental health condition.
- Reported poor health.
Causes and risk factors
Tobacco smoke is the main cause of COPD in the United States.
Risk factors
Anyone who smokes or used to smoke cigarettes has a higher risk of developing COPD.
Other risk factors include:
- Secondhand smoke.
- Exposure to environmental or workplace breathing hazards.
- Family history of COPD.
- Asthma.
Reducing risk
To lower your risk of COPD:
- Stop smoking.
- Avoid inhaling cigarette smoke.
- Limit time in places with bad air quality.
Who is at risk
Some people are more likely to have COPD, including:
- Current or former smokers.
- People with a history of asthma.
- Women.
- Adults 65 and older.
- American Indian or Alaska Native populations and people of more than one race.
- People who are unemployed, unable to work, retired, a homemaker or a student.
- People with less than a high school education.
Diagnosis
If you have any COPD symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Getting diagnosed early allows you to manage and treat COPD, so you can prevent it from getting worse.
Getting tested
Doctors can use a common test to help detect COPD.
The spironmetry test looks at how well your lungs work.
It measures how much air you can breathe in and force out.
Treatment and management
There is no cure for COPD, but there are steps you can take.
Lifestyle changes and treatments can help reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Lifestyle changes
- Quit smoking—For smokers with COPD, the most important part of treatment is to stop smoking.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation programs—These personalized programs teach you how to manage your COPD symptoms. You may learn how to:
- Breathe better.
- Conserve your energy.
- Choose what types of food and physical activities are right for you.
Treatment options
- Medication—Symptoms like coughing or wheezing can be treated with different medicines. Respiratory infections can be treated with antibiotics. This will help prevent serious problems that could develop.
- Vaccinations—Lung infections can cause serious problems for people with COPD. Respiratory disease vaccines can help prevent illness. These vaccines include:
- COVID-19.
- Flu (influenza).
- Pneumococcal.
- Oxygen therapy—Portable oxygen can help you breathe easier if your blood oxygen levels are low.
Resources for Patients and Their Families
At a glance
Several organizations offer information and resources about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for patients and their families. Resources are described below.
Resources
People with COPD, their families, caregivers, and communities can be empowered to recognize, understand and reduce the impact of COPD. You can start by checking out these sites:
Awareness and Education
COPD National Action Plan—Patients and Caregivers
Learn More Breathe Better®
Pulmonary rehabilitation teaches you how to manage your COPD symptoms and improve your quality of life. Tailored programs show you how to breathe better and conserve your energy. They also provide advice on diet and exercise. Find information on these sites:
Pulmonary (Lung) Rehabilitation
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute — Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Smoking Cessation
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD in the United States. Information to help you stop smoking can be found at:
Smoking and COPD
How the COPD Community is Working to Reduce the Impact of COPD
The COPD National Action Plan is the first-ever blueprint for how we can all work together—across communities and sectors—to raise awareness of COPD and reduce its impact. The Plan was developed at the request of Congress, with input from the broad COPD community. This included patients, caregivers, federal agencies, nonprofits, researchers, policymakers, industry representatives, and advocates. Check it out to see how you can play a role:
COPD National Action Plan
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