COPD Medical Reference
Stage I (Early Stage) COPD
- COPD Causes and Risk Factors
Smoking is the most likely reason you’re get COPD. Find out what else can cause ongoing lung disease and what you can do to lower your chances of getting it.
- Managing COPD With Dupixent
Dupixent is an injectable biologic medicine. Here’s how it helps COPD.
- Your Guide to Breztri Aerosphere for COPD
Breztri Aerosphere is a long-acting combination inhaler. Here’s how it treats COPD.
- How Trelegy Ellipta Works for COPD
Trelegy Ellipta is an inhaler that contains a combination of long-acting medicines. Here's how it treats COPD.
- Why Black Americans Shouldn’t Ignore Worsening COPD Symptoms
COPD is often underdiagnosed in Black people. Here’s why that’s common and how important it is to get the care you need from a doctor you trust.
- When You Need Hospital Care for COPD
When a COPD flare is serious and at-home treatments don’t work, you may need hospital care. Here’s how to be ready and what to expect.
- Dual and Triple Therapy When Your COPD Progresses
When a single COPD medication no longer controls your symptoms, a dual or triple therapy approach may help.
- How COPD Affects More Than Your Lungs
COPD doesn’t stop at your lungs: It can damage your general health and mental health as well. Know the other conditions that can go along with this disease.
- COPD and Lung Complications
Shortness of breath is just one way that COPD affects your lungs. It can set off other conditions that impact your lungs in an ongoing cycle. Know more.
- How Pulmonary Rehab Can Help You Get Strong After COPD Damage
Pulmonary rehabilitation is more than an exercise class. It’s key to making lifestyle changes and managing your physical and mental health with COPD.
- COPD Progression Tests
These are the tests your doctor may use to track how your COPD progresses, or gets worse over time.
- Why COPD Flare-ups May Damage Your Lungs
A COPD flare is an isolated event, but if not controlled, the damage it leaves can linger and affect your quality of life. Here’s what you should know.
- Signs of COPD Progression and Why It Happens
COPD is a condition that gets worse over time. Know the signs so you can work with your doctor to respond right away.
- What Is Mycobacterium Bovis?
Mycobacterium bovis leads to tuberculosis. Learn about this condition's causes, symptoms, and treatment options today.
- Managing Your Daily Routine With COPD
Daily activities can be a challenge when you have COPD. Learn how you can improve your quality of life by making changes to your daily routine.
- Tips to Clear Airways When You Have COPD
Learn about activities and tips you can practice at home to clear out your airways.
- Talking to Your Family and Friends About COPD
COPD can impact every part of your life, including your relationships. Get tips to help your family, friends, co-workers, and partner understand how COPD affects your daily life and how they can best support you.
- The Costs of COPD
Having a serious condition like COPD can bring high medical bills and other expenses. Find out about the costs and resources to help with them.
- COPD Flare: When You Need to Go to the Hospital
If you have a COPD flare-up that’s worse than usual, it could be a medical emergency. Find out when to go to the hospital for a COPD flare.
- COPD Medications
When you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), medications can go a long way to help you breathe more easily and boost your quality of life.
- The Emotional Side of COPD
If you have COPD, you may sometimes feel sad, guilty, or stressed. Find out how to deal with COPD's effects on your emotional health.
- Respiratory Infections: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
You can get frequent respiratory issues because of environmental or lifestyle influences. But sometimes, repeated infections are a sign of a more serious issue.
- COPD and Your Job
Managing a serious condition like COPD while juggling your job can be hard. Find out about your rights as an employee and how to work with your employer to stay productive while taking care of yourself.
- Sleep Tips for People With COPD
If your COPD symptoms keep you from a good night's sleep, learn how you can get the rest you need.
- The Latest Research on COPD
Learn what experts are discovering about COPD, from prevention and diagnosis to potential treatments -- and what they still don’t understand about this condition.
- How Your COPD Treatment May Change Over Time
If you have COPD, your treatment may change throughout your disease. Find out what things you may need to do at each stage to better your quality of life.
- Home Remedies for Shortness of Breath
If you feel out of breath at times, you can take steps at home to help yourself feel better. Find out what you can do to improve your airflow.
- When Shortness of Breath Is an Emergency
If you suddenly find you can’t catch your breath, it could be a medical emergency. Find out when to call 911 for shortness of breath.
- What Is COPD Hypoxia?
COPD can lead to hypoxia, which is when cells or tissues in your body don’t get as much oxygen as they need. Learn more about its symptoms, causes, and treatments.
- What to Know About COPD and Cough
COPD can cause a heavy, ongoing cough with lots of mucus. Learn how a technique called controlled coughing and other simple steps can ease your cough.
- What to Know About COPD and Lung Cancer
Both lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affect your lungs. Both can cause shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing.
- What to Know About Vitamin D and COPD
If you have COPD and low vitamin D levels, supplements may help you avoid flares and live better with the condition.
- Coronavirus and COPD: What You Should Know
If you have COPD, COVID-19 may pose extra harm to your health. Here’s what you should know and how to protect yourself.
- Stage 1 (Mild) Emphysema
Emphysema is a serious condition that slowly destroys lung tissue and makes it hard for you to breathe. Find out how doctors define stage 1 of this disease and what you can do.
- Stage 4 (Very Severe) Emphysema
Emphysema is a serious condition that slowly destroys lung tissue and makes it hard for you to breathe. Find out how doctors define stage 4 of this disease and what you can do.
- Stage 2 (Moderate) Emphysema
Emphysema is a serious condition that slowly destroys lung tissue and makes it hard for you to breathe. Find out how doctors define the stages of this disease and what you can do.
- COPD and Vaping
While it’s possible that e-cigarettes could be less toxic than the real thing, they’re not a good choice for anyone with COPD.
- Can an Air Purifier Help With COPD?
Should you shell out for an air purifier if you have COPD? Learn how portable air purifiers can help ease COPD symptoms and ward off heart disease.
- Complementary and Alternative Therapies for COPD
Acupuncture, yoga, massage, and some herbal remedies and supplements -- like NAC, vitamin D, ginseng, and salvia -- may be touted for COPD. Get the facts.
- When to Consider Surgery for COPD
If you have advanced COPD and your symptoms are affecting your quality of life, certain types of surgery may help.
- Asthma vs. COPD: What's the Difference?
Asthma and COPD are two lung diseases with similar symptoms. Learn how to spot the differences and which treatments can help.
- Chronic Bronchitis: An Overview
Your constant coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath could be a sign of a serious illness called chronic bronchitis.
- Emphysema vs. Chronic Bronchitis
Both emphysema and chronic bronchitis can cause breathing problems, so it can be hard to tell them apart. Learn the key differences between the two.
- Avoiding the Hospital When You Have COPD
Even when you're managing your COPD well, you could still end up in the hospital with a bad exacerbation. You can't change the severity of your disease, but you can take steps to lower your odds in other ways.
- COPD Bloating: Why It Happens and What You Can Do
Find out why some people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can get stomach problems like too much gas and bloating, and what you can do if it happens to you.
- Hypercapnia (Hypercarbia)
Find out the connection between hypercapnia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Learn the warning signs of hypercapnia, a condition that happens when too much carbon dioxide builds up in your bloodstream.
- End-Stage COPD (Stage IV)
Learn about the symptoms, tests, and treatment for stage IV chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Stage III (Severe Stage) COPD
Learn about symptoms, tests, and treatment for stage III (severe) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Stage II (Moderate Stage) COPD
Learn about the symptoms, tests you might need, and treatments for stage II (moderate stage) chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).