What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive lung disease that over time makes it hard to breathe.
Key Points
- COPD is chronic. In other words, you live with it every day.
- It can cause serious long-term disability and early death.
- There is no cure for COPD, but it is often preventable and treatable.
- COPD is sometimes referred to as chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
What to ask if you suffer from COPD
If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you likely already know the difficulties that come with being unable to properly process oxygen through your lungs. But you may have several questions about the progression of the disease, as well as your treatment options. Here are a few questions you should ask your doctor before beginning a treatment program for COPD
- What can I expect f I stop smoking?
- What side effects can I expect from my medication?
- Are there any changes I can make to help my condition?
- Besides smoking, what other factors can aggravate my COPD?
- Do I need any shots or vaccinations?
