COPD: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Are you often short of breath when doing things like running errands or climbing stairs? Learn if you are at risk for having COPD.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, makes breathing hard for the 16 million Americans who have been diagnosed with it. Millions more suffer from COPD but have not been diagnosed and are not being treated. COPD can limit your ability to work or even do simple daily tasks. COPD can also make you more likely to get severely ill from COVID-19.

Could you have COPD?

The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoke, so if you smoke or used to smoke, you are at a higher risk of having COPD. Exposure to air pollution in the home or at work, family history, and respiratory infections like pneumonia also increase your risk.

How is COPD diagnosed?

COPD is diagnosed using a simple breathing test called spirometry.

How is COPD treated?

If you have COPD, the most important steps you can take to reduce symptoms and improve your quality of life are:

• Quit smoking. For people who smoke, the most important part of treatment is to stop smoking.
• Avoid tobacco smoke and other air pollutants at home and at work.

Your doctor may also consider the following treatment options:

• Medicine. Symptoms such as coughing or wheezing can be treated with medicine.
• Pulmonary rehabilitation, a personalized treatment program that teaches you how to manage your COPD symptoms to improve quality of life. Plans may include learning to breathe better, how to conserve your energy, and what types of food and exercise are right for you.
• Prevention and treatment of lung infections. Lung infections can cause serious problems in people with COPD. Certain vaccines, such as flu and pneumonia vaccines, are especially important for people with COPD. Learn more about vaccination recommendations. Respiratory infections should be treated with antibiotics, if appropriate.
• Supplemental oxygen. A portable oxygen tank may be needed if blood oxygen levels are low.