COPD Resources | Breathe PA

COPD Resources

What Is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, more commonly known as COPD, is comprised of two main conditions — emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is most frequently caused by long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lungs and airways, however, a genetic condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency and asthma can also lead to COPD.

COPD, is comprised of two main conditions — emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Emphysema causes damage to the walls between the air sacs in the lungs. As a result, the air sacs lose their shape. This damage can also destroy the walls of the air sacs, leading to fewer and larger air sacs instead of many tiny ones. When this happens, the gas exchange in the lungs is reduced – meaning your bloodstream gets less oxygen.

Chronic bronchitis occurs when the lining of the airways is constantly irritated and inflamed, causing the lining to thicken—a large amount of thick mucus forms in the airways, making breathing hard.

Many people who have COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

What Causes COPD?

Generally, COPD is caused by long-term exposure to irritants that damage the lungs and airways. In the United States, tobacco usage, including smoking cigarettes, pipes, and cigars, is the leading cause of COPD. Breathing in secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust from the environment or workplace can also contribute to COPD.

Some people who have asthma can develop COPD. Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. Asthma treatment can usually help with inflammation and narrowing. However, if it’s not appropriately treated, COPD can develop.

Sometimes, a genetic condition called Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency may play a role in causing COPD. People with this condition have low levels of Alpha-1 antitrypsin, a protein made in the liver. Having low levels of the AAT protein can lead to lung damage and COPD if exposed to smoke or other lung irritants. If you have Alpha-1 deficiency and you smoke, the condition can worsen very quickly.

COPD Signs and Symptoms

At first, COPD may cause mild or no symptoms. As the disease progresses, symptoms usually become more severe. Common signs and symptoms of COPD include:

  • An ongoing cough

  • Mucus production

  • Shortness of breath – especially with physical activity

  • Wheezing – a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe

  • Chest tightness

Not everyone who has these symptoms has COPD. Likewise, not everyone who has COPD has these symptoms. Medical tests need to be performed to determine whether the symptoms are the result of COPD.

If your COPD symptoms are mild, they may go unnoticed, or it may be simple to adjust your lifestyle to make breathing easier, such as taking the elevator instead of the stairs. Over time, symptoms may become severe enough to require a doctor’s visit. The severity of COPD symptoms will depend on the extent of lung damage. Severe COPD can cause other symptoms, such as swelling in the ankles, feet, or legs, weight loss, and lower muscle endurance.

How Is COPD Diagnosed?

A doctor will diagnose COPD based on signs and symptoms, medical and family histories, and test results. They may ask whether you smoke or have had contact with lung irritants, such as secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust. If you have an ongoing cough, tell your doctor how long you’ve had it, how often you cough, and how much mucus your cough produces.

Your doctor may also recommend diagnostic tests if your symptoms are the result of COPD. Spirometry, sometimes referred to as a pulmonary function test or PFT, is the primary test used to determine if COPD is present. During this test, a technician will ask you to take a deep breath and blow as hard as possible into a tube connected to a small spirometer machine. The spirometer measures how much air you breathe and how fast you blow air out.

Spirometry can also detect COPD before symptoms develop. Additionally, your doctor can use the test results to determine how severe your COPD is and help set your treatment goals. Your doctor may also have you use a bronchodilator, a medicine that helps open your airways, then repeat the spirometry test. The physician can then compare your test results before and after taking the medicine to determine if this type of medication will be helpful for your treatment.

COPD Treatment

COPD has no cure yet; however, lifestyle changes, medicine and treatments can help people with COPD feel better, stay active, and slow the progression of the disease. The goals of COPD treatment are:

  • Relieving COPD symptoms

  • Slowing the progression of the disease

  • Improving exercise tolerance and the ability to stay active

  • Preventing and treating complications of COPD

  • Improving overall health

Some lifestyle changes, medicine, and other treatment options that a doctor may recommend include:

  • Eliminating the usage of tobacco and nicotine products is the most important step to treating COPD. Continuing to smoke will cause lung damage to occur faster. Also, avoid secondhand smoke and places with dust, fumes, or other toxic substances that may be inhaled.

  • Nutrition - People with COPD may have trouble eating because of their symptoms, such as shortness of breath and fatigue. As a result, people with COPD may not get all the calories and nutrients they need, worsening their symptoms and raising their risk for infections. A doctor can provide advice on following a meal plan to ensure nutritional needs are being met.

  • People with COPD may find it hard to be active with their symptoms. A doctor can recommend safe activites, such as physical activity can strengthen the muscles that help breathing and improve overall wellness.

  • Bronchodilators: Depending on the severity of an individual's COPD, their doctor may prescribe short-acting or long-acting bronchodilators. Bronchodilators relax the muscles around the airways, helping to open the airways and make breathing easier.

  • If an individual's COPD is more severe, or if their symptoms flare up often, their doctor may prescribe a combination of medicines that includes a bronchodilator and an inhaled steroid. Steroids help reduce airway inflammation.

  • Flu Shot – A flu shot is highly recommended for people with COPD. Talk to your doctor about getting a yearly flu shot to reduce your risk of getting the flu.

  • Pneumococcal Vaccine – People with COPD are at higher risk for pneumonia. Talk to your doctor about this vaccine to lower your risk of getting pneumococcal pneumonia and its complications.

  • Pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD includes a program of exercises that helps people build their physical fitness and teaches breathing techniques and strategies for living better with COPD.

  • If an individual has severe COPD and low levels of oxygen in their blood, their doctor may recommend oxygen therapy. For people who have severe COPD, using extra oxygen can help them:

    • Do tasks or activities with fewer symptoms.

    • Protect their hearts and other organs from damage.

    • Sleep longer and improve alertness during the day.

Living With COPD

There are several things that people with COPD can do to help manage their disease:

Seek Help

If you have COPD, know when and where to seek help for your symptoms. Support from family and friends can also help relieve stress and anxiety.

Speak to Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you notice that your symptoms are worsening or if you have signs of an infection, such as a fever.

Know Important Contacts

Keep phone numbers handy for your doctor, hospital, and someone who can take you for medical care. 

Document Medications & Directions

Have a list of all your medications and directions to the doctor’s office and hospital.

Share Your Thoughts

Living with COPD may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress. Talk about your feelings with your healthcare team or a professional counselor.

Find a Support Group

Joining a patient support group may help you adjust so you can see how other individuals living with COPD have coped.

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