Pulmonology

Could It Be COPD?

You've been coughing. A lot. And you get short of breath and fatigued doing things you used to easily do. You may chalk these symptoms up to simply getting older. But they could be something more serious—like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD . What is COPD? COPD is an umbrella term that describes several progressive lung diseases, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The most common cause of COPD is smoking. Many people don't recognize the symptoms of COPD until the diseas...

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a condition that makes it hard to breathe. Although there is no cure, treatment can improve quality of life. To understand COPD, it may help to break down its name. Chronic means long-lasting. COPD is progressive--it gets worse over time. Obstructive refers to the fact that airflow is obstructed--air can't move freely in and out of the lungs. Obstruction may be from chronic bronchitis swelling and excess phlegm in the airways , emphysema damage to lu...

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a condition that makes it hard to breathe. Although there is no cure, treatment can improve quality of life. To understand COPD, it may help to break down its name. Chronic means long-lasting. COPD is progressive--it gets worse over time. Obstructive refers to the fact that airflow is obstructed--air can't move freely in and out of the lungs. Obstruction may be from chronic bronchitis swelling and excess phlegm in the airways , emphysema damage to lu...

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD is a condition that makes it hard to breathe. Although there is no cure, treatment can improve quality of life. To understand COPD, it may help to break down its name. Chronic means long-lasting. COPD is progressive--it gets worse over time. Obstructive refers to the fact that airflow is obstructed--air can't move freely in and out of the lungs. Obstruction may be from chronic bronchitis swelling and excess phlegm in the airways , emphysema damage ...