Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (COPD)
Learn about symptoms and treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).
Learn about symptoms and treatment of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).
Last updated: April 10, 2019
Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) is a chronic condition that damages the lungs, getting worse over time. The disease causes persistent coughing, infections, fatigue and shortness of breath. If COPD is not treated, it can be life-threatening. The main cause of COPD is smoking. Non-smokers exposed to noxious particles or gases may also get COPD.
Symptoms of COPD include:
For more information on COPD, please read COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
There are many treatments to help with COPD. You may be already taking medications. To learn more about managing COPD, see COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). These topics also explain how specific therapies for COPD work:
Patients with COPD can experience exacerbations or flare-ups that can be serious and life-threatening. Knowing the symptoms and being prepared for handling flare-ups is an important part of managing COPD. A flare-up action plan can help to you and your health care provider recognize and treat a flare-up quickly. Your healthcare provider can help you identify COPD triggers so you can make the necessary lifestyle and environmental changes.
Consider keeping on updated COPD Flare-Up Action Plan on hand.
Symptoms of a flare-up may include:
For information on COPD flare-ups and how to handle them, please visit the following resources:
People with COPD are at higher risk for serious problems from certain vaccine-preventable diseases. It is recommended that people with COPD and their loved ones get vaccines to reduce the risk of these preventable diseases.
For more information about vaccines see:
Some lifestyle and environmental factors can impact your physical health and worsen your COPD. Learn about lifestyle adjustments that can make to make living with COPD easier.
Smoking is the main cause of COPD. The best way to slow down the severity of COPD is to quit or reduce smoking to help you improve the quality of life.
QuitNow provides one-on-one support and resources in multiple languages to help your strategy to quit. For more information visit:
The BC Smoking Cessation Program helps cover the cost of nicotine replacement therapy products and specific smoking cessation prescription drugs. For more information about the program see:
Physical activity is one of the most important tools after quitting smoking for managing your COPD. Exercise helps to strengthen breathing muscles so you can breathe easier and feel better.
Physical Activity Services at HealthLinkBC can help you get started. Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 and ask to speak to a qualified exercise professional Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm Pacific Time.
For more information see:
With COPD you may have less of an appetite or lower energy than you used to. You may feel too tired to make or eat food. Maintaining a healthy diet will help strengthen your body’s natural defense system.
Dietitian Services at HealthLinkBC can provide support. Call HealthLinkBC at 8-1-1 and ask to speak to a registered dietitian Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm Pacific Time.
For more information see:
Poor air quality can cause COPD or make symptoms worse. Breathing chemical fumes, dust, second-hand smoke or air pollution over a long period of time may also damage the lungs.
Advance care planning is recommended for all patients with a diagnosis of COPD. Write down your wishes or instructions for present or future health care treatment in case you become unable to decide for yourself. For information and tools for starting a plan, see Advance Care Planning.
A non-profit and volunteer-based health charity that offers information on COPD programs and educational resources. You can speak to a certified respiratory educator for answers to questions on lung diseases and related matters. Call the Lung Association COPD Helpline: 1-866-717-2673 or visit their website.
The Association provides information on treatment, medication and more for people with COPD. Their lung health search tool can help with finding services for managing COPD or help with quitting smoking.