Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — better known as COPD — is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. This group of diseases affects more than 15 million Americans — and over 150,000 people die from it each year.

Despite being a common condition, COPD is still largely misunderstood. And contrary to popular belief, it is both treatable and preventable. Read on to learn more about the different types of COPD, the most common symptoms and options for treatment.

What is COPD?

Sharath Bellary, MD, pulmonologist at Summit Health, says COPD is the acronym given to common lung conditions that “cause progressive breathlessness and persistent cough.”

The disease is usually diagnosed when a patient experiences symptoms that will not go away, even when they are not having a flare-up, with measurable resistance or obstruction to exhaling air out of the lungs.

What are the most common types of COPD?

There are two major types of COPD: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Both are typically caused by smoking cigarettes.

• With chronic bronchitis, “the millions of tiny air sacs in the lungs get inflamed. The inflamed walls of these sacs become thickened, swollen and produce phlegm,” explains Dr. Bellary. The result is a persistent cough that’s sometimes accompanied by wheezing — what many people describe as a “smokers” cough.
• Emphysema begins as shortness of breath or fatigue in the early stages because “the breathing tubes and air sacs in the lungs do not empty air out easily,” adds Dr. Bellary. Patients might confuse their symptoms with those of aging and decrease activity levels to manage symptoms.

What are the main symptoms and causes of COPD?

In the first stages of COPD, patients experience shortness of breath with or without cough on exertion. They will also feel tired. As COPD gets worse, it becomes harder to perform basic activities, and patients experience a habitual, troublesome cough as well as the production of phlegm.

Dr. Bellary says it can take a while to get to this point. “COPD can progress for years without noticing shortness of breath because you may have already limited what you do,” he adds.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 75% of COPD deaths are smoking-related. Though smoking is the most common cause of the disease, COPD can also occur due to pollutants in the environment or enzyme deficiencies.

How is COPD diagnosed?

Lung specialists known as pulmonologists diagnose COPD using exams and pulmonary function tests (PFTs).

“After a detailed clinical exam,” Dr. Bellary explains, “a simple, painless test called spirometry is performed that measures how well your lungs are working.” During spirometry, you are asked to forcefully blow all the air out of your lungs into a mouthpiece. This mouthpiece connects to a machine called a spirometer. 

He also suggests low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) lung cancer screening for COPD patients with a history of smoking. LDCT is a noninvasive test that uses low-dose radiation to take detailed pictures of the chest. These pictures help identify abnormal areas in the lungs that might be cancerous. 

LDCT screening is painless and only takes a few minutes. You should have this screening if you’re at a higher risk of developing lung cancer and meet these criteria:

• You’re a smoker or former smoker aged 50 to 80.
• You currently smoke or have quit in the past 15 years.
• You have at least a 20-pack-year smoking history. This is the number of cigarette packs smoked per day multiplied by the years you smoked. To calculate your pack year, click here.

What are some treatment options for COPD?

There is no cure for COPD and the current treatments can’t fix the damage that has already been done to your lungs. However, you can significantly slow down the progression of COPD especially when it is in the early stages. Patients who receive timely treatment can greatly improve their quality of life.

• Quit smoking. For smokers, the first step is to stop with the help of nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, and other strategies.
• Set up home oxygen therapy. Many patients benefit from home oxygen therapy, which can help them breathe better and increase survival rates for COPD.
• Use bronchodilators. In addition, Dr. Bellary says, “there are effective, simple and safe medication options called bronchodilators. They help open the lungs and air sacs and decrease phlegm production. Bronchodilators not only improve symptoms but can prevent flare-ups or exacerbations that can set back your health several months.”
• Maintain overall health and wellness. Finally, keep up to date on vaccinations and eat nutritious foods. Any viral or bacterial infection, such as the flu or pneumonia, can lead to a COPD flare-up.
• See your doctor regularly. Like any disease, COPD is best managed when patients work together with physicians and check in regularly.

If you feel short of breath or suspect you may have COPD, Dr. Bellary recommends checking with a pulmonologist as soon as possible.