Overview

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. Many people do not realise they have it.

The breathing problems tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control.

Symptoms of COPD

The main symptoms of COPD are:

• increasing breathlessness, particularly when you're active
• a persistent chesty cough with phlegm – some people may dismiss this as just a "smoker's cough"
• frequent chest infections
• persistent wheezing

Without treatment, the symptoms usually get progressively worse. There may also be periods when they get suddenly worse, known as a flare-up or exacerbation.

When to get medical advice

See a GP if you have persistent symptoms of COPD, particularly if you're over 35 and smoke or used to smoke.

Do not ignore the symptoms. If they're caused by COPD, it's best to start treatment as soon as possible, before your lungs become significantly damaged.

The GP will ask about your symptoms and whether you smoke or have smoked in the past. They can organise a breathing test to help diagnose COPD and rule out other lung conditions, such as asthma.

Causes of COPD

COPD happens when the lungs become inflamed, damaged and narrowed. The main cause is smoking, although the condition can sometimes affect people who have never smoked.

The likelihood of developing COPD increases the more you smoke and the longer you've smoked.

Some cases of COPD are caused by long-term exposure to harmful fumes or dust. Others are the result of a rare genetic problem which means the lungs are more vulnerable to damage.

Treatments for COPD

The damage to the lungs caused by COPD is permanent, but treatment can help slow down the progression of the condition.

Treatments include:

• stopping smoking – if you have COPD and you smoke, this is the most important thing you can do
• inhalers and medicines – to help make breathing easier
• pulmonary rehabilitation – a specialised programme of exercise and education
• surgery or a lung transplant – although this is only an option for a very small number of people

Outlook for COPD

The outlook for COPD varies from person to person. The condition cannot be cured or reversed, but for many people, treatment can help keep it under control so it does not severely limit their daily activities.

But in some people, COPD may continue to get worse despite treatment, eventually having a significant impact on their quality of life and leading to life-threatening problems.

Preventing COPD

COPD is largely a preventable condition. You can significantly reduce your chances of developing it if you avoid smoking.

If you already smoke, stopping can help prevent further damage to your lungs before it starts to cause troublesome symptoms.

If you think you need help to stop smoking, you can contact Help Me Quit on 0808 250 4024 for free advice and support. You may also want to talk to a GP about the stop smoking treatments available.

Symptoms

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) makes breathing increasingly more difficult. But it develops slowly over many years and you may not be aware you have it at first.

Most people with COPD do not have any noticeable symptoms until they reach their late 40s or 50s.

Main symptoms

Common symptoms of COPD include:

• increasing breathlessness – this may only happen when exercising at first, and you may sometimes wake up at night feeling breathless
• a persistent chesty cough with phlegm that does not go away
• frequent chest infections
• persistent wheezing

The symptoms will usually get gradually worse over time and make daily activities increasingly difficult, although treatment can help slow the progression.

Sometimes there may be periods when your symptoms get suddenly worse – known as a flare-up or exacerbation. It's common to have a few flare-ups a year, particularly during the winter.

If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

Other symptoms

Less common symptoms of COPD include:

• weight loss
• tiredness
• swollen ankles from a build-up of fluid (oedema)
• chest pain and coughing up blood – although these are usually signs of another condition, such as a chest infection or possibly lung cancer

These additional symptoms only tend to happen when COPD reaches an advanced stage.

When to get medical advice

See your GP if you have persistent symptoms of COPD, particularly if you're over 35 and smoke or used to smoke.

There are several conditions that cause similar symptoms, such as asthma, bronchiectasis, anaemia and heart failure. A simple breathing test can help determine if you have COPD.

While there's currently no cure for COPD, the sooner treatment begins, the less chance there is of severe lung damage.

Who can get it

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) happens when the lungs and airways become damaged and inflamed.

It's usually associated with long-term exposure to harmful substances such as cigarette smoke.

Things that can increase your risk of developing COPD are discussed in this section.

Smoking

Smoking is the main cause of COPD and is thought to be responsible for around 9 in every 10 cases.

The harmful chemicals in smoke can damage the lining of the lungs and airways. Stopping smoking can help prevent COPD from getting worse.

Some research also suggests that being exposed to other people's cigarette smoke (passive smoking) may increase your risk of COPD.

Fumes and dust at work

Exposure to certain types of dust and chemicals at work may damage the lungs and increase your risk of COPD.

Substances that have been linked to COPD include:

• cadmium dust and fumes
• grain and flour dust
• silica dust
• welding fumes
• isocyanates
• coal dust

The risk of COPD is even higher if you breathe in dust or fumes in the workplace and you smoke.

The Health and Safety Executive has more information about occupational causes of COPD.

Air pollution

Exposure to air pollution over a long period can affect how well the lungs work and some research suggests it could increase your risk of COPD.

But at the moment the link between air pollution and COPD is not conclusive and research is continuing.

Genetics

You're more likely to develop COPD if you smoke and have a close relative with the condition, which suggests some people's genes might make them more vulnerable to the condition.

Around 1 in 100 people with COPD has a genetic tendency to develop the condition, called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Alpha-1-antitrypsin is a substance that protects your lungs. Without it, the lungs are more vulnerable to damage.

People who have an alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency usually develop COPD at a younger age – particularly if they smoke.

Ashma + Lung UK has more information about alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.

There is also a charity for people affected by alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency:

• Alpha-1 UK Support Group

Diagnosis

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
• calculate your body mass index (BMI) using your weight and height
• ask if you have a family history of lung problems

They may also do, or arrange for you to have, a breathing test called spirometry, plus other related tests of the lungs and airways.

Spirometry

A test called spirometry can help show how well your lungs are working.

You'll be asked to breathe into a machine called a spirometer after inhaling a medicine called a bronchodilator, which helps widen your airways.

The spirometer takes 2 measurements: the volume of air you can breathe out in a second, and the total amount of air you breathe out. You may be asked to breathe out a few times to get a consistent reading.

The readings are compared with normal results for your age, which can show if your airways are obstructed.

Chest X-ray

A chest X-ray can be used to look for problems in the lungs that can cause similar symptoms to COPD.

Problems that can be shown by an X-ray include chest infections and lung cancer, although these do not always show.

Blood tests

A blood test can show other conditions that can cause similar symptoms to COPD, such as a low iron level (anaemia) and a high concentration of red blood cells in your blood (polycythaemia).

Sometimes a blood test may also be done to see if you have alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. This is a rare genetic problem that increases your risk of COPD.

Further tests

Sometimes more tests may be needed to confirm the diagnosis or determine the severity of your COPD.

This will help you and your doctor plan your treatment.

These tests may include:

• an electrocardiogram (ECG) – a test that measures the electrical activity of the heart
• an echocardiogram – an ultrasound scan of the heart
• a peak flow test – a breathing test that measures how fast you can breathe out, which can help rule out asthma
• a blood oxygen test – a peg-like device is attached to your finger to measure the level of oxygen in your blood
• a CT scan – a detailed scan that can help identify any problems in your lungs
• a phlegm sample – a sample of your phlegm (sputum) may be tested to check for signs of a chest infection

Treatment

There's currently no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but treatment can help slow the progression of the condition and control the symptoms.

Treatments include:

• stopping smoking – if you have COPD and you smoke, this is the most important thing you can do
• Inhalers and tablets – to help make breathing easier
• pulmonary rehabilitation – a specialised programme of exercise and education
• surgery or a lung transplant – although this is only an option for a very small number of people

Your doctor will discuss the various treatment options with you.

Stop Smoking

If you smoke, stopping is the most effective way to prevent COPD getting worse.

Although any damage done to your lungs and airways cannot be reversed, giving up smoking can help prevent further damage.

This may be all the treatment that's needed in the early stages of COPD, but it's never too late to stop – even people with more advanced COPD will benefit from quitting.

If you think you need help to stop smoking, you can contact Help Me Quit for free advice and support. You may also want to talk to a GP about the stop smoking treatments available to you.

Inhalers

Living with

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can affect many aspects of your life. But there are some ways to help reduce its impact.

Looking after yourself

It's important to take good care of yourself if you have COPD.

Some of the main things you'll be advised to do are outlined below.

Take your medicine

It's important to take any prescribed medicine, including inhalers, as this can help prevent bad flare-ups.

It's also a good idea to read the information leaflet that comes with your medicine about possible interactions with other medicines or supplements.

Check with your care team if you plan to take any over-the-counter remedies, such as painkillers or nutritional supplements. These can sometimes interfere with your medicine.

Also speak to your care team if you have any concerns about the medicine you're taking or you're experiencing any side effects.

Stop smoking

If you smoke, stopping can help slow down or prevent further damage to your lungs.

Help is available from a GP and NHS stop smoking services.

Exercise regularly

Exercising regularly can help improve your symptoms and quality of life.

The amount of exercise you can do will depend on your individual circumstances. Exercising until you're a little breathless is not dangerous, but do not push yourself too far.

It's a good idea to speak to your GP for advice before starting a new exercise programme if your symptoms are severe or you have not exercised in a while.

You may be advised to participate in a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, which will include a structured exercise plan tailored to your needs and ability.

Maintain a healthy weight

Carrying extra weight can make breathlessness worse, so it's a good idea to lose weight through a combination of regular exercise and a healthy diet if you're overweight.

Some people with COPD find that they unintentionally lose weight. Eating foods that are high in protein and taking in enough calories is important to maintain a healthy weight.

You may see a dietitian as part of a pulmonary rehabilitation programme if necessary.

Get vaccinated

COPD can put a significant strain on your body and mean you're more vulnerable to infections.

Everyone with COPD is encouraged to have the annual flu jab and the one-off pneumococcal vaccination.

You can get these vaccinations at your GP surgery or a local pharmacy that offers a vaccination service.

Check the weather

Cold spells and periods of hot weather and humidity can cause breathing problems if you have COPD.

It's a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast and make sure you have enough of your medicine to hand in case your symptoms get temporarily worse.

The Met Office issues cold weather alerts during winter, which can warn you about cold spells.

Watch what you breathe

There are certain things that should be avoided, if possible, to reduce COPD symptoms and the chances of a flare-up, including:

• dusty places
• fumes, such as car exhausts
• smoke
• air freshener sprays or plug-ins
• strong-smelling cleaning products (unless there's plenty of ventilation)
• hairspray
• perfume

Asthma + Lung UK has more information about indoor air pollution.

Regular reviews and monitoring

You'll have regular contact with your care team to monitor your condition.

These appointments may involve:

• talking about your symptoms – such as whether they're affecting your normal activities or are getting worse
• talking about your medicine – including whether you think you might be experiencing any side effects
• tests to monitor your health

It's also a good opportunity to ask any questions you have or raise any other issues you'd like to discuss with your care team.

Contact your GP or care team if your symptoms get suddenly worse or you develop new symptoms between checkups.

Breathing techniques

There are various breathing techniques that some people find helpful for breathlessness.

These include breathing control, which involves breathing gently using the least effort, with the shoulders supported. This can help when people with COPD feel short of breath.

Breathing techniques for people who are more active include:

• relaxed, slow, deep breathing 
• breathing through pursed lips, as if whistling 
• breathing out hard when doing an activity that needs a big effort
• paced breathing, using a rhythm in time with the activity, such as climbing stairs

If you have a chesty cough that produces a lot of phlegm, you may be taught a specific technique to help you clear your airways called the active cycle breathing technique.

Asthma + Lung UK has more information about how to manage breathlessness.

Talk to others

If you have questions about your condition and treatment, your GP or nurse may be able to reassure you.

You may also find it helpful to talk to a trained counsellor or psychologist, or someone at a specialist helpline. Your GP surgery will have information about these.

Some people find it helpful to talk to other people who have COPD, either at a local support group or in an internet chat room.

Want to know more?

• HealthUnlocked: lung disease community

Relationships and sex

Having a long-term illness such as COPD can put a strain on any relationship.

Relationships with friends and family

Difficulty breathing and coughing can make you feel tired and depressed.

Your spouse, partner or carer may also have a lot of concerns about your health. It's important to talk about your worries together.

Being open about how you feel and what your family and friends can do to help may put them at ease. But do ntt feel shy about telling them that you need some time to yourself, if that's what you want.

Your sex life

As COPD progresses, the increasing breathlessness can make it difficult to take part in strenuous activities. The breathlessness may happen during sexual activity.

Talk to your partner and stay open-minded. Explore what you both like sexually. Simply touching, being touched and being close to someone helps a person feel loved and special.

Your doctor, nurse or physiotherapist may also be able to suggest ways to help manage breathlessness during sex.

Want to know more?

• Sex wth a lung condition (Asthma + Lung UK)

Flying with COPD

If you have COPD and are planning to fly, go to your GP for a fitness-to-fly assessment. This involves checking your breathing using spirometry and measuring your oxygen levels.

Before travelling, remember to pack all your medicine, such as inhalers, in your hand luggage.

If you're using oxygen therapy, tell your travel operator and airline before you book your holiday, as you may need to get a medical form from your GP.

If you're using long-term oxygen therapy, you'll need to make sure you have an adequate oxygen supply for your flight as well as for your time away.

Airlines generally do not allow you to bring oxygen cylinders with you but may permit portable oxygen concentrator devices.

Want to know more?

• Travelling safely with a lung condition (Asthma + Lung UK)

Money and financial support

People with COPD often have to give up work because their breathlessness stops them doing what they need to do for their job.

If you're unable to work, there are several benefits you may be eligible for:

• If you have a job but cannot work because of your illness, you are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay from your employer.
• If you do not have a job and cannot work because of your illness, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance.
• If you are caring for someone with COPD, you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance.

You may be eligible for other benefits if you have children living at home or if you have a low household income.

Want to know more?

• Citizens Advice Bureau
• Ashma + Lung UK: benefits
• GOV.UK: benefits

End of life care

COPD is a serious condition that can eventually reach a stage where it becomes life threatening.

Talking about this and planning your end of life care, also called palliative care, in advance can be helpful.

It can be difficult to talk about dying with your doctor, and particularly with family and friends, but many people find it helps. Support is also available for your family and friends.

It may be helpful to discuss the symptoms you may have as you become more seriously ill, and the treatments available to manage these.

As COPD progresses, your doctor should work with you to establish a clear management plan based on your wishes. This will include whether you would prefer to go to hospital or a hospice, or be looked after at home as you become more ill.

You may want to discuss writing an advance decision, also called a living will, which sets out your wishes for treatment if you become too ill to be consulted.

This might include whether you want to be resuscitated if you stop breathing, and whether you want artificial ventilation to be continued.

Want to know more?

Asthma + Lung UK : end of life care