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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that cause breathing difficulties.

It includes:

  • emphysema – damage to the air sacs in the lungs
  • chronic bronchitis – long-term inflammation of the airways

COPD is a common condition that mainly affects middle-aged or older adults who smoke. Many people do not realise they have it.

The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control.

Get the flu vaccine

Flu can be very serious if you have COPD. Ask for your free flu jab at:

  • your GP surgery
  • a local pharmacy that has a flu vaccine service

Find out more about the flu vaccine

Coronavirus advice

Get advice about coronavirus and COPD from the British Lung Foundation

Symptoms of COPD

The main symptoms of COPD are:

  • increasing breathlessness, particularly when you're active
  • a persistent chesty cough with phlegm – some people may dismiss this as just a "smoker's cough"
  • frequent chest infections
  • persistent wheezing

Without treatment, the symptoms usually get progressively worse. There may also be periods when they get suddenly worse, known as a flare-up or exacerbation.

Find out more about the symptoms of COPD.

When to get medical advice

See a GP if you have persistent symptoms of COPD, particularly if you're over 35 and smoke or used to smoke.

Do not ignore the symptoms. If they're caused by COPD, it's best to start treatment as soon as possible, before your lungs become significantly damaged.

The GP will ask about your symptoms and whether you smoke or have smoked in the past. They can organise a breathing test to help diagnose COPD and rule out other lung conditions, such as asthma.

Find out more about how COPD is diagnosed.

Causes of COPD

COPD happens when the lungs become inflamed, damaged and narrowed. The main cause is smoking, although the condition can sometimes affect people who have never smoked.

The likelihood of developing COPD increases the more you smoke and the longer you've smoked.

Some cases of COPD are caused by long-term exposure to harmful fumes or dust. Others are the result of a rare genetic problem which means the lungs are more vulnerable to damage.

Find out more about the causes of COPD.

Treatments for COPD

The damage to the lungs caused by COPD is permanent, but treatment can help slow down the progression of the condition.

Treatments include:

  • stopping smoking – if you have COPD and you smoke, this is the most important thing you can do
  • inhalers and medicines – to help make breathing easier
  • pulmonary rehabilitation – a specialised programme of exercise and education
  • surgery or a lung transplant – although this is only an option for a very small number of people

Find out more about how COPD is treated and living with COPD.

Outlook for COPD

The outlook for COPD varies from person to person. The condition cannot be cured or reversed, but for many people, treatment can help keep it under control so it does not severely limit their daily activities.

But in some people, COPD may continue to get worse despite treatment, eventually having a significant impact on their quality of life and leading to life-threatening problems.

Social care and support guide

If you:

  • need help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability
  • care for someone regularly because they're ill, elderly or disabled – including family members

The guide to care and support explains your options and where you can get support.

Preventing COPD

COPD is largely a preventable condition. You can significantly reduce your chances of developing it if you avoid smoking.

If you already smoke, stopping can help prevent further damage to your lungs before it starts to cause troublesome symptoms.

If you think you need help to stop smoking, you can contact NHS Smokefree for free advice and support. You may also want to talk to a GP about the stop smoking treatments available.

Find out more about stopping smoking and where to find a stop smoking service near you.

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

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36,019 public posts

Triple Inhaled Therapy at Two Glucocorticoid Doses in Moderate-to-Very-Severe COPD.

Triple fixed-dose regimens of an inhaled glucocorticoid, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been studied at single dose levels of inhaled glucocorticoid, but studies at two dose levels are lacking.
Triple fixed-dose regimens of an inhaled glucocorticoid, a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA), and a long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have been studied at single dose levels of inhaled glucocorticoid, but studies at two dose levels are lacking.
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Three-drug combination reduces COPD patient mortality.

Once-daily treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an inhaler combining fluticasone furoate (FF), umeclidinium (UMEC) and vilanterol (VI) reduced all-cause mortality by 42 percent, according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American
Once-daily treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an inhaler combining fluticasone furoate (FF), umeclidinium (UMEC) and vilanterol (VI) reduced all-cause mortality by 42 percent, according to new research published online in the American Thoracic Society’s American
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Insulators in Alberta at higher risk of chest infections, COPD.

Construction workers in Alberta who work with hazardous insulation materials are much more likely to be affected by repeated chest infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to new research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
Construction workers in Alberta who work with hazardous insulation materials are much more likely to be affected by repeated chest infections and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to new research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.
2greys
in British Lung Foundation
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Healthcare app reduces symptoms of COPD compared to regular treatment.

A Southampton-developed healthcare app that helps people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) manage their condition can speed up recovery after hospital admission and reduce flare-ups of symptoms, a newly published study has shown.
A Southampton-developed healthcare app that helps people with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) manage their condition can speed up recovery after hospital admission and reduce flare-ups of symptoms, a newly published study has shown.
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

New research may explain severe virus attacks on the lungs.

But under certain conditions, lung macrophages can also contribute to severe lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COVID-19.
But under certain conditions, lung macrophages can also contribute to severe lung diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and COVID-19.
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

‘Vaping’ Increases Odds of Asthma and COPD.

Using data from a large federal government telephone survey of adults, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers report evidence that inhaling heated tobacco vapor through e-cigarettes was linked to increased odds of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), conditions long demonstrated to be
Using data from a large federal government telephone survey of adults, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers report evidence that inhaling heated tobacco vapor through e-cigarettes was linked to increased odds of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), conditions long demonstrated to be
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Mucus breakthrough could help patients breathe easy.

A discovery about how mucus thickness is regulated could help to improve airway-clearing treatment options for people with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
A discovery about how mucus thickness is regulated could help to improve airway-clearing treatment options for people with chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

New class of drugs reverses symptoms of asthma in animal models.

An international team of scientists, led by the University of Glasgow, has announced findings that could pave the way to a new treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
An international team of scientists, led by the University of Glasgow, has announced findings that could pave the way to a new treatment for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Compact electronic nose to identify human lung diseases.

During the experiments, the device demonstrated high accuracy in determining patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, which increases the risk of complications when infected with COVID-19. https://www.skoltech.ru/en/2020/05/compact-electronic-nose-to-identify-human-lung-diseases
During the experiments, the device demonstrated high accuracy in determining patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), an inflammatory disease of the respiratory tract, which increases the risk of complications when infected with COVID-19. https://www.skoltech.ru/en/2020/05/compact-electronic-nose-to-identify-human-lung-diseases
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Survey Launched

For anyone who may be interested in giving their views: (Closes 7th Dec) “European Lung Foundation and COPD Foundation have launched a survey to understand how people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) feel about the words used to describe their condition by doctors and nurses.
For anyone who may be interested in giving their views: (Closes 7th Dec) “European Lung Foundation and COPD Foundation have launched a survey to understand how people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) feel about the words used to describe their condition by doctors and nurses.
Debs_BLFHelplineAdministrator
in British Lung Foundation

COPD underdiagnosed in older adults, but can be managed.

“Recognizing and Treating COPD in Older Adults," the latest issue of the What’s Hot newsletter from The Gerontological Society of America, addresses what is known about the prevalence, incidence, and impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in older adults.
“Recognizing and Treating COPD in Older Adults," the latest issue of the What’s Hot newsletter from The Gerontological Society of America, addresses what is known about the prevalence, incidence, and impact of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in older adults.
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Liquid e-cigarette flavorings measurably injure lungs.

Known for their appetizing flavors, such as bubblegum, banana and strawberry, e-cigarettes continue to grow in popularity around the world. Promoted by makers as a “healthy” alternative to regular tobacco cigarettes, researchers are finding e-cigarettes, or vaping, still result in injury to the lungs
Known for their appetizing flavors, such as bubblegum, banana and strawberry, e-cigarettes continue to grow in popularity around the world. Promoted by makers as a “healthy” alternative to regular tobacco cigarettes, researchers are finding e-cigarettes, or vaping, still result in injury to the lungs
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

UK study highlights importance of spirometry in diagnosing COPD

A UK study of patients participating in low-dose CT lung cancer screening highlights the importance of spirometry (breathing tests) in the assessment of possible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and demonstrates that over-reliance on radiological changes alone may result in detection of
A UK study of patients participating in low-dose CT lung cancer screening highlights the importance of spirometry (breathing tests) in the assessment of possible chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and demonstrates that over-reliance on radiological changes alone may result in detection of
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Mirtazapine

I've been doing some research on taking Mirtazapine when you suffer with COPD. I am quite anxious & feel quite stressed & last year while having a bad time with my COPD my Dr prescribed Mirtazapine, while taking this I felt I had more breath & felt able to cope better. Has anyone else tried this medication
I've been doing some research on taking Mirtazapine when you suffer with COPD. I am quite anxious & feel quite stressed & last year while having a bad time with my COPD my Dr prescribed Mirtazapine, while taking this I felt I had more breath & felt able to cope better. Has anyone else tried this medication
Jansy16
in British Lung Foundation

Wanting to cut premature deaths by almost 15% gets you the label of being a health nut!

Smokers could be forced to get their cigarettes from pharmacies using a prescription under a new plan from anti smoking advocates. The hardline proposal is part of a university's plan to end smoking forever, and includes cutting off cigarette sales permanently to anyone born after a certain date. Associate
Smokers could be forced to get their cigarettes from pharmacies using a prescription under a new plan from anti smoking advocates. The hardline proposal is part of a university's plan to end smoking forever, and includes cutting off cigarette sales permanently to anyone born after a certain date. Associate
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Lung development may explain why some non-smokers get COPD and some heavy smokers do not.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a debilitating lung condition, often develops as a result of smoking, but researchers have long puzzled over why nearly a third of cases occur in people who never smoked.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a debilitating lung condition, often develops as a result of smoking, but researchers have long puzzled over why nearly a third of cases occur in people who never smoked.
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Team tracks integrin's role in lung function.

In a mouse model, deleting the gene for beta-1 integrin from the epithelial cells lining the alveoli of the adult lung, where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place, results in accelerated inflammation and severe emphysema resembling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in humans
In a mouse model, deleting the gene for beta-1 integrin from the epithelial cells lining the alveoli of the adult lung, where the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide takes place, results in accelerated inflammation and severe emphysema resembling chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in humans
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Stepped up again

I saw the asthma nurse at my surgery today...apparently I wasn’t supposed to have been seen in person but they’d confused the process and booked me in. Anyhow, I saw her cos my asthma isn’t great at the moment and I’m already on highest doses of my meds& tablets to go with. What was helpful was that
I saw the asthma nurse at my surgery today...apparently I wasn’t supposed to have been seen in person but they’d confused the process and booked me in. Anyhow, I saw her cos my asthma isn’t great at the moment and I’m already on highest doses of my meds& tablets to go with. What was helpful was that
madonbrew
in British Lung Foundation

Researchers describe unique genetic identity of primordial lung progenitors.

They believe this study has long-term implications for the treatment of diseases affecting the respiratory system, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and cystic fibrosis. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-01-unique-genetic-identity-primordial-lung.html
They believe this study has long-term implications for the treatment of diseases affecting the respiratory system, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and cystic fibrosis. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-01-unique-genetic-identity-primordial-lung.html
2greys
in British Lung Foundation

Swelling feet ,ankles

Hi all ,has anyone found while using Trimbow ,or the likes ect ,have side effects of swollen feet and ankles
Hi all ,has anyone found while using Trimbow ,or the likes ect ,have side effects of swollen feet and ankles
Alice70
in British Lung Foundation
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