FAQs About COPD

COPD affects millions of adults, but many people don’t know much about the disease until they or a loved one is diagnosed. Here are answers to common questions about what COPD is, who’s at risk and what actually helps.What is COPD, and what symptoms of COPD appear first?COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a common lung condition that narrows the airways and makes breathing harder over time. It includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, both of which change the structure of the lungs.Common symptoms include a cough that brings up mucus (often worse in the morning), shortness of breath when climbing stairs or walking uphill, and wheezing, said Suman Paul, M.D., a COPD specialist and respiratory medicine consultant. Symptoms tend to worsen over time, and people may have flare-ups, called exacerbations, when symptoms suddenly get much worse.It can be easy to miss early signs. "Many early symptoms of COPD can be very subtle; therefore, they may go unnoticed by patients," said Blen Tesfu, M.D., a physician and women's health advocate. People may notice a mild cough, more mucus in the morning or feeling winded during everyday activities.What are the four stages of COPD?Clin...