What is COPD?
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and is an umbrella term that describes a group of lung diseases that cause breathlessness, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The acronym COPD means:
- Chronic: the disease is lifelong
- Obstructive: your lungs are obstructed, or “blocked”, from moving air in and out easily by swelling and extra mucus. Exhaling might be harder than inhaling
- Pulmonary: your lungs are affected
- Disease: your lungs are damaged, and while there is no cure for COPD, there are many steps you can take to manage your condition and improve your symptoms
In This Article
Introduction to COPD
Healthy lungs work like a balloon; they expand to fill with air and contract to force the air out again. Healthy lungs are strong, elastic, and expand and contract easily.
In COPD, the lungs can become like a balloon that has lost its elasticity, making it more difficult to expand and contract. The airways inside your lungs may become swollen and narrow, or clogged with mucus, which makes it harder to breathe air in and out.
COPD can also destroy the tiny air sacs in your lungs that pass oxygen to your bloodstream. This makes it harder to get oxygen to your tissues and to get rid of carbon dioxide.
People with COPD will have different symptoms that require different treatments. Also, other conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure can change the way someone experiences lung disease and require them to manage it differently.
Symptoms of COPD
Everyone experiences COPD differently, and signs of COPD can be mistaken for normal aging. For some people, symptoms can come on slowly and may not appear until a person reaches their 50s or 60s.
Common symptoms include:
- Increased shortness of breath
- Persistent and frequent coughing, with or without mucus
- Wheezing
- Tightness in the chest
- Unusual tiredness and lack of energy
Others may also experience weight loss, swollen ankles due to fluid build-up, or coughing up blood, although these are less common.
Many people with COPD will also experience a sudden worsening of their symptoms in what is known as a flare-up, or exacerbation, from time to time. Flare-ups can be caused by a range of triggers, such as weather, smoking, or pollution.
Flare-ups can last a day, a few days, or even longer if left untreated. Untreated flare-ups can lead to hospitalization and further lung damage, so it’s most important to identify and treat them as early as possible. Your physician will tell you what medication you should use in the event of a flare-up.
Causes and Risk Factors of COPD
The main cause of COPD in the United States is smoking. Other causes include exposure to particulate matter and chemicals at work, or air pollution, but these are more rare. 1
Smoke particles and other pollutants—like chemicals, dust and fumes—can cause your airways to become inflamed and damage the tissue involved in oxygen exchange. The flow of air in and out of your lungs decreases, and as a result, your body is less able to get oxygen to your body tissues and get rid of carbon dioxide.
There is also a genetic component to COPD. A rare genetic disorder called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is responsible for about 1% of COPD cases. Alpha-1 antitrypsin is a protein that helps protect the lungs, and people with this genetic condition are not able to produce enough of it.
Managing and Treating COPD
While there is no cure for COPD, it is manageable and treatable! The most important step you can take to treat COPD is to stop smoking and stay away from others who are smoking.
Lifestyle changes are also very important to managing COPD well. Wellinks has resources on lifestyle changes such as:
- Physical activity and exercise: Regular exercise prevents deconditioning, which is when your muscles get weaker. And while it doesn’t reverse COPD, it can help improve your quality of life.
- Healthy diet: Eating a balanced, nutritious diet can help you keep your weight under control and reduce pressure on your lungs. Also, some foods produce a lot of carbon dioxide when digested, which can make it harder to breathe.
- Breathing exercises: Techniques like pursed lip and diaphragmatic breathing can help you use your lungs better.
- Regular check-ups: Regular check-ups help you keep track of your condition and address any problems early on.
- Monitoring your progress: Keeping track of your progress on your Wellinks app can help you see what strategies are working well for you and what areas you still need help with. Your COPD Action Plan can also help you keep track of changes in your condition, triggers, and instructions from your physician.
These lifestyle changes are most effective when they become habits, or things you do regularly. Your Wellinks care team will help you practice them and work through any challenges.
Lifestyle changes are often used in conjunction with medication prescribed by your physician. There are several different types, including bronchodilators, corticosteroids, and antibiotics.
You may also be prescribed pulmonary rehabilitation, which uses exercise, counselling, and breathing techniques to help you stay healthy and active.
Oxygen therapy is commonly prescribed to help people with COPD breathe more easily and ensure their body is getting enough oxygen to power their muscles and vital organs. For more information about oxygen therapy, click here.
There are also surgical options, which can remove diseased lung tissue or improve a person’s lung function. Your physician will talk with you about whether surgery is right for you.
What You Can Do Today
A diagnosis of COPD can feel overwhelming and scary. But it is important to remember that you are not alone, and there are many people and resources available to help you manage your condition.
Understanding COPD is the first step to managing it. You can check out these resources to learn more about the disease and what to expect from treatments:
As you review these resources and any documents you’ve been given by your physician, write down any questions you have. You can take these questions to your next appointment and to your next coaching session. Your Wellinks care team is here to help you on your COPD journey!