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What is COPD?

What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD is the name used to describe a number of long-term lung problems which can make breathing difficult. Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema are among the most common causes of COPD.

Chronic Bronchitis is inflammation and swelling of the air passages (bronchi), over a prolonged time. Excess mucus or phlegm is produced which you have to try to cough up.

Emphysema occurs when the little air sacs (alveoli) in the lungs are damaged. As air sacs are destroyed, the lungs are able to transfer less and less oxygen to the bloodstream. This causes shortness of breath.

Both of these conditions can co-exist and patients can have symptoms which relate to both, hence the use of the general term COPD.

What Causes COPD?

In COPD a person's airways are permanently damaged, usually due to prolonged irritation. In the majority of cases, smoking is the cause of this irritation and damage. However, occupational or environmental factors, such as dust or chemicals, and some inherited problems can also cause COPD.

What are the Symptoms of COPD?

COPD tends to creep up on people. It can be tolerated for many years before the symptoms reach a level that will make the sufferer go to the GP. Symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath are often attributed to getting older.

In mild forms of COPD, breathlessness may only occur walking up a hill or stairs, or a cough and phlegm is only noticed after a cold or in winter. However in severe cases, breathlessness can occur walking slowly along flat ground and even normal daily tasks and activities are difficult.

People with COPD can be prone to chest infections because excess mucus in the lungs provides good environment for bacteria to grow.

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