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COPD

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

COPD is a long-term lung condition that makes it harder to breathe. It cannot be cured, but treatment can ease symptoms, prevent flare-ups and help you stay active.

Written by Neil Hyde Last checked 1 minute read

On this page
  1. Symptoms
  2. Causes
  3. Getting diagnosed
  4. Flare-ups
  5. Treatment

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is a group of lung conditions, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis, that make it hard to breathe out. The airways become narrowed and the air sacs in the lungs can be damaged.

COPD usually develops slowly over many years and is most often diagnosed in people over 35.

Symptoms

  • breathlessness, at first when you are active, and later sometimes at rest
  • a long-lasting chesty cough with phlegm
  • frequent chest infections
  • wheezing
  • tiredness

Symptoms are often worse in winter. Many people put early symptoms down to "getting older" or a "smoker's cough", so COPD can go unnoticed for years.

Causes

  • smoking is the main cause
  • breathing in dust, fumes or chemicals at work over many years
  • air pollution
  • a rare genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Getting diagnosed

The main test is spirometry. You blow as hard and as fast as you can into a machine that measures how well your lungs work. You may also have a chest X-ray and blood tests.

Flare-ups

A flare-up (or exacerbation) is when symptoms suddenly get worse, often because of a chest infection. You may be given a rescue pack of steroid tablets and antibiotics to start as soon as a flare-up begins. Follow your COPD action plan and tell your GP or nurse.

Treatment

Treatment can ease symptoms and slow COPD down. See COPD treatment.

Common questions

Is COPD the same as emphysema?

COPD is the umbrella name for a group of lung conditions, including emphysema (damage to the air sacs in the lungs) and chronic bronchitis (long-term swelling of the airways). Many people have both.

Is it too late to stop smoking if I have COPD?

No. Stopping smoking is the most effective way to slow COPD down, at any stage. Free help from a stop smoking service makes you much more likely to succeed.

Sources we used

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