Ask the Expert: Questions and Answers About Uncontrolled COPD

Rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are rising among women, with the disease being more common among people who live in rural areas. We spoke with pulmonologist Raymond Wade, M.D., assistant professor of pulmonary, allergy and critical care medicine at University of Alabama at Birmingham, about the importance of prompt diagnosis, good symptom management and reducing flare-ups.Wade told us earlier diagnosis and treatment reduces the severity of flare-ups, making them not just less frequent but also less deadly. “Flare-ups pose a huge risk to people’s lives,” said Wade. “Each flare-up is a roll of the dice.” What is uncontrolled COPD?COPD is a chronic condition that causes swelling and inflammation in the airways. Its symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. When there’s a flare-up, these symptoms can lead to hospitalization or even death. COPD that isn’t controlled leads to more frequent and more severe flare-ups.Why is it so important to control your COPD?A spirometry test, which measures how well the air flows in the lungs, can determine whether COPD is mild, moderate or severe. COPD is progressive, but slowing down that progression with treat...