COPD Summary COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) makes it hard for you to breathe. The two main types are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. The main cause of COPD is long-term exposure to substances that irritate and damage the lungs. This is usually cigarette smoke. Air pollution, chemical fumes, or dust can also cause it. At first, COPD may cause no symptoms or only mild symptoms. As the disease gets worse, symptoms usually become more severe. They include A cough that produces a lot of mucus Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity Wheezing Chest tightness Doctors use lung function tests, imaging tests, and blood tests to diagnose COPD. There is no cure. Treatments may relieve symptoms. They include medicines, oxygen therapy, surgery, or a lung transplant. Quitting smoking is the most important step you can take to treat COPD. NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Find an Expert American College of Chest Physicians American College of Chest Physicians American Lung Association American Lung Association National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Related Issues Asthma and COPD: Differences and Similarities American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Sleep Problems in Asthma and COPD American Thoracic Society Traveling with Portable Oxygen American College of Chest Physicians What Causes COPD? 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Start Here Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) American Thoracic Society Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) American Academy of Family Physicians COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute COPD: Learn More, Breathe Better National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Statistics and Research Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Includes: Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema National Center for Health Statistics Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Data and Statistics Centers for Disease Control and Prevention State Fact Sheets on COPD Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Taking Her Breath Away: The Rise of COPD in Women American Lung Association Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Lung Diseases, Obstructive National Institutes of Health ClinicalTrials.gov: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive National Institutes of Health Seniors COPD National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute COPD: Unique to Older Adults AGS Foundation for Health in Aging Health Check Tools COPD Quiz National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Videos and Tutorials Diagnosing COPD National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Risk Factors for COPD National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute What Is COPD? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Living With Exercise for Persons with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) American College of Sports Medicine Living Well with COPD: Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema American College of Chest Physicians Living with COPD National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Living with COPD: Nutrition American Lung Association MedlinePlus: Pulmonary Rehabilitation National Library of Medicine Pulse Oximetry American Thoracic Society Supplemental Oxygen American Lung Association Techniques to Bring Up Mucus National Jewish Health Prevention and Risk Factors How Can COPD Be Prevented? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Protecting Your Lungs American Lung Association Who Is at Risk for COPD? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Treatments and Therapies How Is COPD Treated? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute How to Use a Metered Dose Inhaler American Academy of Family Physicians Managing Your COPD Medications American Lung Association Medicines Used to Treat COPD American Thoracic Society Journal Articles COPD Reference Desk What Are the Lungs? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Symptoms What Are the Signs and Symptoms of COPD? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Latest News Many Smokers Have COPD Symptoms, without Diagnosis HealthDay Mom’s Smoking May Put Kids At Higher Risk of COPD in Adulthood HealthDay Many COPD Patients Have Trouble Finding Care HealthDay Exercise May Extend Lives of People with COPD HealthDay COPD Discovery Might Improve Treatment HealthDay Severe Asthma in Childhood Linked to COPD Risk Later HealthDay
