COPD
Also known as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Emphysema, Chronic bronchitis
This article is general health information for the selected condition. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace clinical judgement. If you have questions or need treatment advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
What is copd?
COPD is a progressive lung disease in which airflow obstruction is only partly reversible, unlike asthma. It combines airway inflammation and destruction of lung tissue, most often from tobacco smoke. Stopping smoking is the only intervention proven to slow the decline in lung function, and pulmonary rehabilitation is among the most effective symptom treatments.
Causes
- Tobacco smoking, the dominant cause
- Long term exposure to biomass smoke or occupational dust
- Air pollution
- Alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency in a small minority
- Poor lung growth in early life
Symptoms
- Breathlessness that worsens with exertion
- Chronic cough, often productive
- Frequent chest infections
- Wheeze
- Fatigue and reduced exercise capacity
- Weight loss in advanced disease
Risk factors
- Current or previous smoking
- Occupational exposure to dusts, fumes and chemicals
- Indoor cooking smoke exposure
- Childhood respiratory infections
- Age over 40
Diagnosis
- Post bronchodilator spirometry confirming persistent obstruction
- Symptom and exacerbation history for severity grading
- Chest X-ray or CT to exclude other disease
- Alpha 1 antitrypsin testing in younger patients
- Pulse oximetry and blood gases when advanced
Treatment
- Smoking cessation support, the highest priority intervention
- Long acting bronchodilator inhalers
- Inhaled corticosteroids for selected patients with exacerbations
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Influenza, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccination
- Long term oxygen therapy for chronic hypoxaemia
Self care
- Stop smoking, which is the only measure that slows lung function decline
- Use inhalers daily and check technique regularly
- Stay as physically active as you can
- Follow your written action plan and keep rescue medicines at home
- Keep vaccinations up to date
- Practise breathing techniques such as pursed lip breathing
- Eat well, since weight loss worsens outcomes
When to see a doctor
Book an appointment if:
- Breathlessness worsening over weeks
- More frequent chest infections
- Increased sputum volume or change in colour
- Ankle swelling
- Weight loss without trying
- Struggling with inhaler technique or adherence
Some symptoms need emergency care rather than an appointment. See the warning signs listed above.
Prevention
- Never start smoking, and stop if you do
- Reduce occupational dust, fume and biomass smoke exposure
- Vaccination against influenza, pneumococcus and COVID-19
- Treat childhood and adult respiratory infections promptly
- Attend pulmonary rehabilitation when offered
Outlook
COPD is progressive and lung damage does not reverse, but the rate of decline is strongly modifiable. Stopping smoking, pulmonary rehabilitation and vaccination reduce exacerbations, hospital admissions and mortality. Many people maintain good quality of life for years, and exacerbations rather than baseline breathlessness usually drive deterioration.
Common questions
Is it worth stopping smoking once COPD is diagnosed?
Yes, at any stage. Stopping smoking is the only measure shown to slow the accelerated decline in lung function, and it reduces exacerbations and improves survival even in advanced disease.
How does COPD differ from asthma?
Asthma obstruction is largely reversible and often starts in childhood with allergic triggers. COPD obstruction persists after bronchodilator treatment and usually presents after age 40 with a significant exposure history. The two can coexist.
What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
A structured programme of supervised exercise, breathing techniques and education. It reliably improves breathlessness, exercise capacity and quality of life, with effects comparable to or better than many medicines.
References
Important: Dard AI is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat, or replace clinician judgement. This article is general information only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about diagnosis and treatment, and seek emergency care for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.