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COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term condition that causes inflammation in the lungs, damaged lung tissue and a narrowing of the airways, making breathing difficult.

There are many different types of the condition, although little is known about what causes this variation and the best way to manage the different versions of the disease.

Last Update 09/10/2024
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Symptoms


The symptoms of COPD are breathlessness and chronic cough, with or without phlegm. Fatigue, anorexia and weight loss can also occur over time. A key characteristic of the condition is periods of worsening symptoms, known as exacerbations. This can be triggered by infections or exposure to high amounts of air pollution. Symptoms of COPD get worse over time and exacerbations can speed up this decline.

People with COPD often suffer from other conditions, known as co-morbidities. These conditions may share similar risk factors, such as smoking, and they often contribute to the severity of the condition.

The most common conditions that occur alongside COPD include heart disease, anxiety and depression, osteoporosis, gastro-oesophageal reflux, skeletal muscle dysfunction, anaemia, lung cancer, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Causes


COPD is caused by factors that trigger inflammation in the lungs. These include:

Tobacco smoke

This is the main risk factor for COPD. About 40-50% of lifelong smokers will develop COPD, compared with 10% of people who have never smoked. Not all smokers will develop the condition, which suggests that genetics also play a part in making some people more susceptible than others.

Occupational exposure

Around 15-20% of COPD cases are associated with exposures to occupational dust, chemicals, vapours or other airborne pollutants in the workplace that can trigger COPD. Find out more about occupational risk factors.

Outdoor and indoor air pollution

People with COPD are at a high risk of their symptoms worsening with high levels of outdoor air pollution. Indoor air pollution from using biomass fuels for cooking and heating is also a risk factor for the development of COPD. Find out more about outdoor and indoor air pollution.

Socioeconomic status

Research has shown that the risk of developing COPD is associated with lower educational and income levels. Experts believe this is due to factors such as nutrition, overcrowding and air pollution.

Early life and environmental factors

Lung infections in early life and mothers who smoke are important risk factors for COPD.

Genetic factors

The make-up of a person’s genes can mean they are more susceptible to developing COPD. The most researched genetic problem linked with COPD is a condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency; an inherited condition where a person lacks a protein known as alpha-1 antitrypsin.

Prevention


Identifying the risk factors, and preventing exposure to these factors, is the most important step in preventing the disease. This includes:

  • Encouraging people to quit smoking
  • Preventing exposure to passive smoke for unborn babies and infants
  • Reducing exposure to indoor air pollution from biomass fuels in developing countries
  • Preventing COPD exacerbations

Treatment


COPD is diagnosed via a spirometry test. This test involves breathing into a device called a spirometer, which measures the amount of air in the lungs and how fast a person can breathe out. If the test shows that the amount of air a person breathes out is low, it may indicate a narrowing of the airways and the early stages of COPD.

There is no known cure for COPD but it can be effectively managed to ease the impact of the symptoms on quality of life. Management of the condition includes;

  • Reducing exposure to risk factors, including smoking and air pollution
  • Improving exercise ability to help relieve symptoms
  • Medical treatment with bronchodilators to help prevent exacerbations
  • Oxygen therapy to help ease breathlessness
  • People with COPD can be referred onto exercise programmes known as pulmonary rehabilitation. These focus on improving a person’s ability to exercise and providing education to help a person manage their own condition.

Palliative care

Palliative care is one method of treatment that may be offered to you. It is aimed at making an individual and their family and caregivers, feel comfortable and supported. It is different to care methods that aim to cure or treat a condition. Palliative care can help reduce the number of visits to hospital and helps people feel less burdened by their symptoms.  It includes managing any physical pain, difficult emotions or other distress as well as giving social, psychological and spiritual support.

Find out more about palliative care for people living with COPD and ILD.

Further reading


We have worked with people with a lived experience of COPD to contribute to the ERS Monograph on COPD in the 21st Century. The ERS Monograph is the quarterly book series from the European Respiratory Society. Each Monograph covers a specific area of lung health, providing in-depth reviews that give healthcare professionals at all levels a guide to symptoms, diagnosis and treatment. This is one of our activities that ensures patients’ views are heard by healthcare professionals and are at the heart of future healthcare.
Please note, these are paid-for publications. Electronic versions of the Monographs and Handbooks can be purchased via ebooks.com or Google Play. Print copies of the Monographs and Handbooks are available at ersbookshop.com.