CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE
PULMONARY DISEASE
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) is a chronic
inflammatory lung disease that causes
obstructed airflow from the lungs. It’s
estimated that about 30 million people
in the United States have COPD. As
many as half are unaware that they
have it.
Untreated, COPD can lead to a faster
progression of disease, heart problems,
and worsening respiratory infections.
FORMS
- There are two main forms of COPD:
 Chronic bronchitis, which involves a
long-term cough with mucus
 Emphysema, which involves damage to
the lungs over time
As it progresses, symptoms can become more
constant to where it can become increasingly
difficult to breathe.
One may experience wheezing and tightness
in the chest or have excess sputum
production. Some people with COPD have
acute exacerbations, which are flare-ups of
severe symptoms.
EARLY SYMPTOMS
 occasional shortness of breath, especially
after exercise
 mild but recurrent cough
 needing to clear your throat often,
especially first thing in the morning
WORSENING SYMPTOMS
 shortness of breath, after even mild forms
CAUSES
of exercise like walking up a flight of
 The cause of COPD is usually long-term
exposure to irritants that damage your
lungs and airways.
stairs
It also include:
 Smoking
 However, in rare cases, nonsmokers who
lack a protein called alpha-1
antitrypsin can develop emphysema.
 Occupational Exposures
 Indoor and outdoor pollution
 wheezing, which is a type of higherpitched noisy breathing, especially during
exhalations
 chest tightness
 chronic cough, with or without mucus
 need to clear mucus from your lungs
every day
 frequent colds, flu, or other respiratory
infections
SYMPTOMS
COPD makes it harder to breathe. Symptoms
may be mild at first, beginning with
intermittent coughing and shortness of breath.
 lack of energy
In later stages of COPD, symptoms may also
include:
MEDICAL TREATMENT
 Bronchodilators
 Corticosteroids
 fatigue
 Combination inhalers
 swelling of the feet, ankles, or legs
 Antibiotics
 weight loss
 Roflumilast (Daliresp)
 Flu or pneumonia vaccines
RISK FACTORS
 Pulmonary rehabilitation
 Smoking. This the main risk factor. Up to
75 percent of people who have COPD
smoke or used to smoke.
 Oxygen therapy
 Long-term exposure to other lung
irritants, such as secondhand smoke, air
pollution, and chemical fumes and dusts
from the environment or workplace
 Age. Most people who have COPD are at
least 40 years old when their symptoms
begin.
 Genetics. This includes alpha-1
antitrypsin deficiency, which is a genetic
condition. Also, smokers who get COPD
are more likely to get it if they have a
family history of COPD.
COMPLICATIONS

Respiratory infections

Heart problems

Lung cancer
 High blood pressure in lung arteries
 Depression
 In severe cases of COPD, the doctor may
suggest:
 Bullectomy
 Lung volume reduction surgery
 Lung transplant