Experiences with

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

36,019 public posts

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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.
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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.
Debs_BLFHelplineAdministrator
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UK study highlights importance of spirometry in diagnosing COPD

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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
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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
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Researchers describe unique genetic identity of primordial lung progenitors.

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Swelling feet ,ankles

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