There is no cure for COPD. Patients who have it work in partnership with their providers to manage the condition. Your provider may recommend some combination of the following. 1. Stop smoking and/or vaping. These activities are, without a doubt, the leading cause of COPD. The idea that vaping is a “safer” option is a myth. While kicking the habit won’t reverse COPD, it will go a long way toward relieving some of the symptoms, slowing disease progression, and making it easier to manage. 2. Use an inhaler. Depending on your specific case, your provider may recommend an inhaler to help relieve inflammation in your lungs and make breathing easier. 3. Oxygen supplementation may be beneficial. This is less common in the early stages of COPD, but a patient who lives with the condition long enough often requires some supplementation as the disease progresses. 4. Positive pressure ventilation may be required. This may occur in emergent situations, but in the late stages of COPD, patients may need this type of intervention regularly. It can be done via a home ventilator setup. Patients at risk of respiratory failure typically wear the ventilator mask while sleeping (about 8 hours per day).

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Q: What is COPD?

The primary conditions that may be labeled COPD include: - Emphysema - Chronic bronchitis - Asthma Empysema (also called pulmonary emphysema) is characterized by severe shortness of breath. It occurs when tiny air sacs in the lungs are damaged or even destroyed. This damage is irreversible, making management of the condition the primary course of action. This condition is usually caused by irritants like cigarette smoke or environmental pollutants. A small percentage of people may contract it as a result of a relatively rare gene mutation called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency. Chronic bronchitis is what it sounds like – bronchitis that is ongoing. Many people have experienced acute bronchitis, an inflammation of breathing passages in the lungs that causes increased mucus production. The acute (short-term) version is quite common with any respiratory condition, like the common cold, flu, covid or RSV. It occurs chronically when the lungs are exposed to any number of irritants, including cigarette smoke (first or secondhand), environmental pollutants or other ongoing lung issues. Asthma, while it may be considered a form of COPD, is not one of the more common drivers of a diagnosis. Patients of all ages do suffer from asthma, and the condition functions more as a risk factor for developing COPD (due to ongoing lung irritation that can lead to something like chronic bronchitis) than a standalone cause.

Q: What are the symptoms of COPD?

COPD is primarily characterized by symptoms like: - Cough (chronic) - Shortness of breath (even without intense physical activity) - Wheezing - Increased ongoing mucus production that lasts beyond the timeframe for a typical cold, sinus infection or other acute respiratory concern

Alex Courville, MD
Aug 5
4 min read

You’ve likely heard the term “COPD.” It’s often mentioned as a risk factor for any number of medications or activities. It stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and it’s actually a group of lung conditions that make breathing difficult.

What is COPD?

The primary conditions that may be labeled COPD include:

Emphysema
Chronic bronchitis
Asthma

Empysema (also called pulmonary emphysema) is characterized by severe shortness of breath. It occurs when tiny air sacs in the lungs are damaged or even destroyed. This damage is irreversible, making management of the condition the primary course of action. This condition is usually caused by irritants like cigarette smoke or environmental pollutants. A small percentage of people may contract it as a result of a relatively rare gene mutation called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Chronic bronchitis is what it sounds like – bronchitis that is ongoing. Many people have experienced acute bronchitis, an inflammation of breathing passages in the lungs that causes increased mucus production. The acute (short-term) version is quite common with any respiratory condition, like the common cold, flu, covid or RSV. It occurs chronically when the lungs are exposed to any number of irritants, including cigarette smoke (first or secondhand), environmental pollutants or other ongoing lung issues.

Asthma, while it may be considered a form of COPD, is not one of the more common drivers of a diagnosis. Patients of all ages do suffer from asthma, and the condition functions more as a risk factor for developing COPD (due to ongoing lung irritation that can lead to something like chronic bronchitis) than a standalone cause.

What are the symptoms of COPD?

COPD is primarily characterized by symptoms like:

Cough (chronic)
Shortness of breath (even without intense physical activity)
Wheezing
Increased ongoing mucus production that lasts beyond the timeframe for a typical cold, sinus infection or other acute respiratory concern

Who is at risk for COPD?

Most of the time, patients are at risk for chronic conditions due to a combination of their age, genetics and lifestyle. COPD is not like other chronic concerns in that way – it is often lifestyle-driven, with a smaller number of cases arising as a result of a genetic mutation or other pre-existing condition.

Those most at risk for developing some form of COPD include:

Anyone who smokes or vapes, or those with a history of smoking/vaping – this is by far the leading cause of COPD
Patients with cystic fibrosis
Patients with Alpha-1 antitrypsin disease, a rare condition that can lead to both COPD and cirrhosis of the liver

Can COPD be treated?

There is no cure for COPD. Patients who have it work in partnership with their providers to manage the condition. Your provider may recommend some combination of the following.

Stop smoking and/or vaping. These activities are, without a doubt, the leading cause of COPD. The idea that vaping is a “safer” option is a myth. While kicking the habit won’t reverse COPD, it will go a long way toward relieving some of the symptoms, slowing disease progression, and making it easier to manage.
Use an inhaler. Depending on your specific case, your provider may recommend an inhaler to help relieve inflammation in your lungs and make breathing easier.
Oxygen supplementation may be beneficial. This is less common in the early stages of COPD, but a patient who lives with the condition long enough often requires some supplementation as the disease progresses.
Positive pressure ventilation may be required. This may occur in emergent situations, but in the late stages of COPD, patients may need this type of intervention regularly. It can be done via a home ventilator setup. Patients at risk of respiratory failure typically wear the ventilator mask while sleeping (about 8 hours per day).

The best way to avoid or delay some of the more intensive treatment options is to reduce your risk factors! If you have a history of smoking and/or vaping, or if you’ve had significant exposure to environmental pollutants or secondhand smoke, make sure to establish a relationship with a primary care provider early. Go to your annual checkups, as early detection can make a big difference in quality of life and available treatment options.

What complications may exist with COPD?

A number of complications can arise in patients with COPD. Some can be fatal. They include:

Lung diseases, including cancer, pneumonia, and pulmonary hypertension
Respiratory failure requiring supplemental oxygen, ventilation, or both
Heart disease – this often occurs concurrently with COPD among patients with a history of smoking and/or vaping
Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs)

What should I do if I'm diagnosed with COPD?

At the risk of sounding like a broken record…if you smoke or vape, stop. Remember that secondhand smoke can be just as damaging, so limit your exposure to that as well.

Once you’re diagnosed, see your provider regularly. Proper management is the most important consideration at that point.

Can COPD be prevented?

Yes, for most people. Excluding the small number of patients who may contract it as a result of another condition or a genetic mutation, the leading cause of COPD is smoking, vaping, exposure to secondhand smoke, or significant exposure to known pollutants or irritants.

If you smoke, today is the best time to quit. The second-best time is tomorrow.

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