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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.
- Symptoms
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) makes breathing...
- Treatment
There's currently no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary...
- Causes
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) happens when...
- Diagnosis
Overview. Symptoms. Causes. Diagnosis. Treatment. Living...
- Shortness of Breath
a lung condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
- Chest Infections
Treatment from a GP for a chest infection. Treatment for a...
- Quit Smoking
Find out about stop smoking services and how quitting can...
- What Are The Health Risks of Smoking
You will also be less likely to develop type 2 diabetes,...
- Symptoms
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, treatable (but not curable) and largely preventable lung condition. It is characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms (such as breathlessness, cough, and sputum) and airflow obstruction (usually progressive and not fully reversible).
- About COPD
- Why Does COPD Happen?
- Who Is Affected?
- Diagnosis
- Treating COPD
- Living with COPD
- Can COPD Be Prevented?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a collection of lung diseases including chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive airways disease. People with COPD have difficulties breathing, primarily due to the narrowing of their airways, this is called airflow obstruction. Typical symptoms of COPD include: 1. increasing...
The main cause of COPD is smoking. The likelihood of developing COPD increases the more you smoke and the longer you’ve been smoking. This is because smoking irritates and inflames the lungs, which results in scarring. Over many years, the inflammation leads to permanent changes in the lung. The walls of the airways thicken and more mucus is produc...
COPD is one of the most common respiratory diseases in the UK. It usually only starts to affect people over the age of 35, although most people are not diagnosed until they are in their 50s. It is thought there are more than 3 million people living with the disease in the UK, of which only about 900,000 have been diagnosed. This is because many peo...
It is important that COPD is diagnosed as early as possible so treatment can be used to try to slow down the deterioration of your lungs. You should see your GP if you have any of the symptoms of COPD. COPD is usually diagnosed after a consultation with your doctor, which may be followed by breathing tests. Read more about diagnosing chronic obstru...
Although the damage that has already occurred to your lungs cannot be reversed, you can slow down the progression of the disease. Stopping smoking is particularly effective at doing this. Treatments for COPD usually involve relieving the symptoms with medication, for example by using an inhaler to make breathing easier. Pulmonary rehabilitation may...
COPD can affect your life in many ways, but help is available to reduce its impact. Simple steps such as living in a healthy way, being as active as possible, learning breathing techniques, and taking your medication can help you to reduce the symptoms of COPD. Financial support and advice about relationships and end of life care is also available ...
Although COPD causes about 25,000 deaths a year in the UK, severe COPD can usually be prevented by making changes to your lifestyle. If you smoke, stopping is the single most effective way to reduce your risk of getting the condition. Research has shown you are up to four times more likely to succeed in giving up smoking if you use NHS support alon...
Overview. Symptoms. Causes. Diagnosis. Treatment. Living with. See a GP if you have persistent symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). To help them diagnose COPD, a GP may: ask you about your symptoms. examine your chest and listen to your breathing using a stethoscope. ask whether you smoke or used to smoke.
Aug 30, 2024 · Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an ongoing lung condition caused by damage to the lungs. The damage results in swelling and irritation, also called inflammation, inside the airways that limit airflow into and out of the lungs.
Jan 10, 2023 · Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of progressive lung diseases. Here’s what you should know about symptoms, diagnosis, and management.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of progressive lung disease characterized by chronic respiratory symptoms and airflow limitation. [ 8 ] .
