Health Library

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term (chronic) lung problem.

When you have COPD, it can feel harder to breathe in or out.

The condition may get worse over time. There are things you can do to keep yourself as healthy as possible.

What are the causes?

1. Smoking. This is the most common cause.
2. Breathing in fumes, smoke, or chemicals for a long time.
3. Genes that are inherited, which means they are passed down from parent to child.

What are the signs or symptoms?

1. Shortness of breath.

• This may happen all the time.
• This may get worse when you move your body.
• This may get worse over time.
• You may have times when this becomes much worse all of a sudden. These are called flare-ups or exacerbations.

2. A long-term cough, with or without thick mucus.

3. Wheezing.

4. Chest tightness.

5. Feeling tired.

6. Not being able to do activities like you used to do.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed based on:

1. Your medical history.
2. A physical exam.
3. Lung (pulmonary) function tests. You may have a test that measures the air flow out of the lungs when you breathe out.

You may also have tests, including:

1. Chest X-ray.
2. CT scan.
3. Blood tests.

How is this treated?

This condition may be treated by:

1. Quitting smoking, if you smoke.
2. Using oxygen.
3. Taking medicines. These may include:
4. Inhalers. These have medicines in them that you breathe in.
5. Daily inhalers. These help to prevent symptoms from happening. They are usually taken every day to prevent COPD flare-ups.
6. Quick relief inhalers. These act fast to relieve symptoms. They are used only when needed and provide short-term relief.
7. Other medicines that you breathe in or swallow. These may be used to open the airways, thin mucus, or treat infections.
8. Breathing exercises to help you control or catch your breath.
9. A mucus clearing device, if you have a lot of thick mucus.
10. Pulmonary rehab. A place where you will learn about your condition and the best ways for you to manage it.
11. Surgery.

Follow these instructions at home:

Medicines

1. Take your medicines as told by your health care provider.
2. Talk to your provider before taking any cough or allergy medicines. You may need to avoid medicines that cause your lungs to be dry.

Lifestyle

1. Several times a day, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
2. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
3. This may help keep you from getting an infection.
4. Avoid being around crowds or people who are sick.
5. Do not smoke or use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. If you need help quitting, ask your provider.
6. Stay active. Learn how to pace your activity during the day.
7. Learn how to breathe to control your stress and catch your breath.
8. Drink enough fluid to keep your pee (urine) pale yellow, unless you have been told not to.
9. Eat healthy foods. Eat smaller meals more often.
10. Get enough sleep. Most adults need 7 or more hours per night.

General instructions

1. Make a COPD action plan with your provider. This helps you to know what to do if you feel worse than usual.
2. Make sure you get all the shots, also called vaccines, that your provider recommends. Ask your provider about a flu shot and a pneumonia shot.
3. If you need home oxygen therapy, ask your provider how often to check your oxygen level with a device called an oximeter.
4. Keep all follow-up visits to review your COPD action plan. Your provider will want to check on your condition often to keep you healthy and out of the hospital.

Contact a health care provider if:

1. You are coughing up more mucus than usual.
2. There is a change in the color or thickness of the mucus.
3. It is harder to breathe than usual or you are short of breath while you are resting.
4. You need to use your quick relief inhaler more often.
5. You have trouble doing your normal activities such as getting dressed or walking in the house.
6. Your skin color or fingernails turn blue.
7. You have a fever or chills.

Get help right away if:

1. You are short of breath and cannot:
2. Talk in full sentences.
3. Do normal activities.
4. You have chest pain.
5. You feel confused.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Call 911 right away.

1. Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.
2. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.