COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

COPD

COPD chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease makes it hard for you to breathe

the two main types are chronic

bronchitis and emphysema the main cause

of COPD is long-term exposure to

substances that irritate and damage the

lungs this is usually cigarette smoke

air pollution chemical fumes or dust can

also cause it at first.

COPD may cause no symptoms for only mild

symptoms as the disease gets worse

symptoms usually become more severe they

include a cough that produces a lot of

mucus shortness of breath especially

with physical activity wheezing and

chest tightness doctors use lung

function tests imaging tests and blood

tests to diagnose COPD there is no cure

treatments they relieve symptoms they

include medicines oxygen therapy surgery

or a lung transplant quitting smoking is

the most important step you can take to

treat COPD.