COPD: What It Is and What You Can Do

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) makes breathing harder over time. It’s one of the top causes of death worldwide, but many people live well when they know how to manage it. This page gives clear, practical steps you can take right now—what to watch for, how doctors test for it, and how treatment and simple daily habits can help.

Causes and common symptoms

Smoking is the main cause of COPD. Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke, air pollution, dusts, and chemical fumes can also damage lungs. A small number of people get COPD from a rare genetic problem called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Look out for these warning signs: ongoing cough, mucus that won’t go away, shortness of breath doing everyday tasks, wheezing, and frequent chest infections. If you feel more tired than usual or you can’t walk as far as before without getting breathless, tell your doctor.

How doctors check for COPD

Spirometry is the main test. It measures how much air you can blow out and how fast (you’ll hear terms like FEV1 and FVC). Other tests can include chest X-ray or CT scan, pulse oximetry to check oxygen levels, and blood tests. Your doctor may ask about smoking history and any exposure to dust or fumes.

Don’t wait for a major problem. Early diagnosis often means better results from treatment and a slower decline in lung function.

Treatment and day-to-day care

Stopping smoking is the single most important step. Quitting lowers flare-ups and slows lung damage. Ask your doctor about nicotine replacement, medications, or support programs.

Medications include bronchodilators (short-acting for quick relief and long-acting for daily control) and inhaled steroids for some people. You might use a spacer with your inhaler—this often makes the medicine work better. In some cases, doctors prescribe pills or short courses of steroids and antibiotics during flare-ups.

Oxygen therapy helps those with low blood oxygen. Pulmonary rehabilitation—a supervised program with exercise, breathing techniques and education—reduces hospital visits and helps you feel stronger and less breathless.

Vaccines matter: get your annual flu shot, pneumococcal vaccine when recommended, and stay up to date on COVID shots. These lower the risk of serious lung infections that can make COPD worse.

Have an action plan. Know which symptoms mean a mild flare you can manage at home (extra inhaler, rest, fluids) and which need urgent care—sudden severe breathlessness, blue lips, confusion, high fever, or fainting. Keep a rescue inhaler close and attend regular check-ups so your doctor can adjust treatment.

Small everyday habits help: stay active with gentle exercise, eat enough protein and calories, avoid smoky or dusty places, and learn breathing techniques like pursed-lip breathing to ease shortness of breath. If you’re caring for someone with COPD, help them stick to meds, appointments, and a clear flare-up plan.

If you suspect COPD, book a check-up. Early steps—quitting smoking, getting tested, and starting proper treatment—make a big difference in how you feel and how long you stay active.