COPD: What Kind of Lung Disease Is It, Causes and Symptoms

COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This is the name for a group of lung diseases in which it becomes hard to breathe. Below are the meaning of the term, the causes, symptoms, and the tests that confirm the diagnosis.

COPD: What It Is and What the Abbreviation Means

The abbreviation COPD stands for "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease." It is not a single symptom but a group of conditions with a common feature: air passes through the airways with limitation.

"Obstruction" means an obstacle to airflow. In COPD this limitation is not fully reversible. It usually progresses and is associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to harmful particles and gases.

Lung damage in COPD is permanent. The process cannot be cured or reversed. Treatment helps slow progression.

The disease is more common in middle-aged and older people who smoke. Many do not know about their diagnosis.

Chronic Obstructive Bronchitis and Emphysema: How They Are Related to COPD

COPD includes two main types. Emphysema is damage to the alveoli, the lung air sacs, and the walls between them. Chronic obstructive bronchitis is long-term inflammation of the airways: their walls thicken and there is more mucus.

Most people with COPD have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The severity of each component varies from person to person.

The term "chronic obstructive bronchitis" as a separate disease name is outdated. The process begins in the bronchi but also affects the alveoli, blood vessels, pleura, and respiratory muscles. Therefore the general term COPD is used.

The concept of COPD includes chronic obstructive bronchitis, secondary emphysema, pneumosclerosis, pulmonary hypertension, and chronic cor pulmonale.

Causes and Risk Factors of COPD

The main cause is smoking. The risk is higher the more cigarettes a person smokes and the longer they have smoked. Up to 75% of people with COPD smoke or used to smoke.

Other inhaled irritants: secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes and dust at work or in the environment.

Rarely, the cause is an inherited condition — alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Age: in most people symptoms begin at age 40 or later. Bronchial asthma increases the risk of COPD, although most people with asthma do not develop COPD. In smokers, a family history of COPD also increases the risk.

Symptoms of COPD

At first there may be no symptoms or they may be mild. Later they usually worsen.

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical exertion.
• Persistent cough with sputum; it is often dismissed as "smoker's cough."
• Frequent respiratory infections.
• Persistent wheezing, whistling when breathing.

Chest tightness and fatigue are possible. Without treatment, symptoms progress. There are periods of sharp worsening — exacerbations.

In severe cases, weight loss, weakness of the lower limb muscles, and swelling of the feet, ankles, and legs occur.

How COPD Is Diagnosed

The doctor asks about symptoms, past and current smoking, family history, and contact with irritants.

The main instrumental criterion is pulmonary function testing. The diagnosis is confirmed by a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio below 70% and FEV1 below 80% of predicted.

Chest X-ray or computed tomography is also possible. Blood tests may include arterial blood gas measurement and an alpha-1 antitrypsin test.

Complications and When to See a Doctor

Exacerbations, frequent respiratory infections, weakness, weight loss, and swelling are signs of severe disease. In some people the disease progresses despite treatment and leads to life-threatening conditions.

You should see a doctor for persistent symptoms, especially if the person is over 35 and smokes or used to smoke. Do not delay: the earlier treatment is started, the less lung damage there is.

The diagnosis of COPD alone is not a reason to call an ambulance. You should call 103 or 112 if severe shortness of breath appears — it is hard to catch your breath or speak.

This material is for reference: it describes the disease and tests but does not replace a doctor's consultation.

This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer