COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) makes it hard for you to breathe. Coughing up mucus is often the first sign of COPD. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are common COPDs.
Your airways branch out inside your lungs like an upside-down tree. At the end of each branch are small, balloon-like air sacs. In healthy people, both the airways and air sacs are springy and elastic. When you breathe in, each air sac fills with air like a small balloon. The balloon deflates when you exhale. In COPD, your airways and air sacs lose their shape and become floppy, like a stretched-out rubber band.
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Breathing in other kinds of irritants, like pollution, dust or chemicals, may also cause or contribute to COPD. Quitting smoking is the best way to avoid developing COPD.
Treatment can make you more comfortable, but there is no cure.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) makes it hard for you to breathe. Coughing up mucus is often the first sign of COPD. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are common COPDs.
Your airways branch out inside your lungs like an upside-down tree. At the end of each branch are small, balloon-like air sacs. In healthy people, both the airways and air sacs are springy and elastic. When you breathe in, each air sac fills with air like a small balloon. The balloon deflates when you exhale. In COPD, your airways and air sacs lose their shape and become floppy, like a stretched-out rubber band.
Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Breathing in other kinds of irritants, like pollution, dust or chemicals, may also cause or contribute to COPD. Quitting smoking is the best way to avoid developing COPD.
Treatment can make you more comfortable, but there is no cure.
NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Start Here
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/706.printerview.html(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/articles/706.printerview.html
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dcisp/Diseases/copd/copd_whatis.html
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/copd/htm/index.htm(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/copdspanish/htm/index.htm
The top row in the table of contents box contains the following groups: Basics , Learn More , and Multimedia & Cool Tools .
For group BasicsFor group Learn More
The bottom row in the table of contents box contains the following groups: Research , Reference Shelf , and For You .
For group ResearchFor group Reference ShelfFor group For You
Overviews
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/copd/index.aspx(National Jewish Health)
- COPD: Learn More, Breathe BetterCOPD: Learn More, Breathe Better http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/copd/index.htm(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- COPDCOPD http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/copd/DS00916/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- JAMA Patient Page: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseJAMA Patient Page: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/300/20/2448.pdf(American Medical Association) - PDF
Latest News
- Poor Diet May Make COPD Worse, Study FindsPoor Diet May Make COPD Worse, Study Findshttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_105070.html(11/02/2010, HealthDay)
- Air Pollution Ups Risk of Chronic Lung DiseaseAir Pollution Ups Risk of Chronic Lung Diseasehttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_104648.html(10/21/2010, HealthDay)
- Health Tip: Recognizing COPDHealth Tip: Recognizing COPDhttp://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_102587.html(08/25/2010, HealthDay)
Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Blood Gases TestBlood Gases Test http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/blood_gases/test.html(American Association for Clinical Chemistry)
- Breathing Problems? Learn to Recognize the Symptoms of COPDBreathing Problems? Learn to Recognize the Symptoms of COPD http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2009/November/feature2.htm(National Institutes of Health)
- BronchoscopyBronchoscopy http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/bron/bron_whatis.html(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- Diagnosis of COPDDiagnosis of COPD http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/copd/diagnosis.aspx(National Jewish Health)
- Lung Function TestsLung Function Tests http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/lft/lft_whatare.html(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- SpirometrySpirometry http://www.yourlunghealth.org/testing/spirometry/index.cfm(American Association for Respiratory Care)
- What Are the Signs and Symptoms of COPD?What Are the Signs and Symptoms of COPD? http://www.thoracic.org/clinical/copd-guidelines/for-patients/what-are-the-signs-and-symptoms-of-copd.php(American Thoracic Society)
Treatment
- Albuterol Inhalers: Time to TransitionAlbuterol Inhalers: Time to Transition http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm048235.htm(Food and Drug Administration)
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm151052.htm
- COPD MedicationsCOPD Medications http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/medications/copd/index.aspx(National Jewish Health)
- Inhaled Steroid DrugsInhaled Steroid Drugs http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/steroid_asthma.htm(Consumers Union of U.S.)
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/2pager_AsthmaSpanish.pdf
- Lung - Treatment of COPD and AsthmaLung - Treatment of COPD and Asthma http://www.nlhep.org/lung_trtmnt.html(National Lung Health Education Program)
- Patient Instructions for Inhaled DevicesPatient Instructions for Inhaled Devices http://www.chestnet.org/accp/patient-guides/patient-instructions-inhaled-devices-english-and-spanish(American College of Chest Physicians) - PDF
- Surgery for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseSurgery for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease http://patients.thoracic.org/information-series/en/resources/surgery-for-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease.pdf(American Thoracic Society) - PDF
- What Do I Need to Know about the Medication I Am Taking?What Do I Need to Know about the Medication I Am Taking? http://www.thoracic.org/clinical/copd-guidelines/for-patients/what-do-i-need-to-know-about-the-medication-i-am-taking/(American Thoracic Society)
- Return to top
Nutrition
- Eating Right: Tips for the COPD PatientEating Right: Tips for the COPD Patient http://www.aarc.org/patient_education/tips/copd.html(American Association for Respiratory Care)
- Nutritional Guidelines for People with COPDNutritional Guidelines for People with COPD http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease_copd/hic_nutritional_guidelines_for_people_with_copd.aspx(Cleveland Clinic Foundation)
- Return to top
Rehabilitation/Recovery
- COPD Exercise and Activity GuidelinesCOPD Exercise and Activity Guidelines http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/chronic_obstructive_pulmonary_disease_copd/hic_copd_exercise_and_activity_guidelines.aspx(Cleveland Clinic Foundation)
- Pulmonary RehabilitationPulmonary Rehabilitation http://www.thoracic.org/clinical/pulmonary-rehabilitation/patient-information/pulmonary-rehabilitation.php(American Thoracic Society)
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.thoracic.org/clinical/pulmonary-rehabilitation/patient-information/pulmonary-rehabilitation-spanish.php
- Pulmonary RehabilitationPulmonary Rehabilitation http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/pulreh/pulreh_whatis.html(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- Return to top
Coping
- COPD: Emotional ManagementCOPD: Emotional Management http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/copd/emotional-management/index.aspx(National Jewish Health)
- Return to top
Disease Management
- Breathing and RelaxationBreathing and Relaxation http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/lifestyle/relax/index.aspx(National Jewish Health)
- COPD Management ToolsCOPD Management Tools http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/copd/living-with-copd/copd-management-tools.html(American Lung Association)
- How Can I Stay Healthy?How Can I Stay Healthy? http://www.thoracic.org/clinical/copd-guidelines/for-patients/how-can-i-stay-healthy.php(American Thoracic Society)
- Lessening the Effects of COPDLessening the Effects of COPD http://www.yourlunghealth.org/healthy_living/living/lessening_copd/(American Association for Respiratory Care)
- Living Well with COPDLiving Well with COPD http://www.yourlunghealth.org/healthy_living/living/living_copd/(American Association for Respiratory Care)
- Supplemental Oxygen (Oxygen Therapy)Supplemental Oxygen (Oxygen Therapy) http://www.lungusa.org/lung-disease/copd/living-with-copd/supplemental-oxygen.html(American Lung Association)
- Techniques to Bring Up MucusTechniques to Bring Up Mucus http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/copd/lifestyle-management/bring-up-mucus.aspx(National Jewish Health)
- Return to top
Related Issues
- Frequently Asked Questions about COPD, Emphysema, and BronchitisFrequently Asked Questions about COPD, Emphysema, and Bronchitis http://www.intelihealth.com/IH/ihtPrint/E/32172/32173/352875.html?d=dmtContent&hide=t&k=basePrint(InteliHealth, Harvard Medical School)
- When Asthma and COPD CoexistWhen Asthma and COPD Coexist http://www.aaaai.org/patients/seniorsandasthma/when_asthma_copd_coexist.stm(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology)
- Return to top
Tutorials
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) http://nihseniorhealth.gov/copd/toc.html(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/copd/htm/index.htm(Patient Education Institute)
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/copdspanish/htm/index.htm
- Return to top
Videos
- Diagnosing COPDDiagnosing COPD http://nihseniorhealth.gov/copd/symptomsanddiagnosis/video/copd4_na.html(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- What Is COPD?What Is COPD? http://nihseniorhealth.gov/copd/whatiscopd/video/copd2_na.html(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- Return to top
Anatomy/Physiology
- Anatomy and Function of the Normal LungAnatomy and Function of the Normal Lung http://www.thoracic.org/clinical/copd-guidelines/for-patients/anatomy-and-function-of-the-normal-lung.php(American Thoracic Society)
- Atlas of Human Body: Respiratory System -- Structure DetailAtlas of Human Body: Respiratory System -- Structure Detail http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/pub/physician-resources/patient-education-materials/atlas-of-human-body/respiratory-system-structure.shtml(American Medical Association)
- Return to top
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Lung Diseases, ObstructiveClinicalTrials.gov: Lung Diseases, Obstructive http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Lung+Diseases,+Obstructive%22(National Institutes of Health)
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveClinicalTrials.gov: Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Pulmonary+Disease,+Chronic+Obstructive%22(National Institutes of Health)
- Return to top
Research
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) http://www.nih.gov/about/researchresultsforthepublic/COPD.pdf(National Institutes of Health) - PDF
- Effect of Treatment with Fluticasone with and without Salmeterol on Airway Inflammation and Lung Function in Patients with COPDEffect of Treatment with Fluticasone with and without Salmeterol on Airway Inflammation and Lung Function in Patients with COPD http://www.annals.org/cgi/reprint/151/8/I-21.pdf(American College of Physicians) - PDF
- Pipe and Cigar Smoking and Lung FunctionPipe and Cigar Smoking and Lung Function http://www.annals.org/content/152/4/I-28.full.pdf(American College of Physicians) - PDF
- Return to top
Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Effect of high flow oxygen on mortality in chronic obstructive...Article: Effect of high flow oxygen on mortality in chronic obstructive... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20959284?tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Outpatient follow-up visit and 30-day emergency department visit and readmission...Article: Outpatient follow-up visit and 30-day emergency department visit and readmission... http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20937926?tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis and management in older adults.Article: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis and management in older adults. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20936735?tool=MedlinePlus
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) -- see more articlesCOPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) -- see more articles http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=lung+diseases,obstructive[majr]+NOT+asthma[mh]+NOT+emphysema[mh]+NOT+bronchitis[mh]+AND+(jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt]+OR+systematic[sb])+AND+humans[mh]+AND+english[la]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt])+AND+%22last+1+Year%22[edat]&tool=MedlinePlus
- Return to top
Organizations
- American College of Chest PhysiciansAmerican College of Chest Physicians http://www.chestnet.org/
- American Lung AssociationAmerican Lung Association http://www.lungusa.org/
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood InstituteNational Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
- National Lung Health Education ProgramNational Lung Health Education Program http://www.nlhep.org/
- Return to top
Statistics
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Data and StatisticsChronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Data and Statistics http://www.cdc.gov/copd/data.htm(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.cdc.gov/copd/espanol.htm
- FastStats: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)FastStats: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/copd.htm(National Center for Health Statistics)
- Return to top
MedlinePlus Magazine
- COPD: When You Learn More, You'll Breathe BetterCOPD: When You Learn More, You'll Breathe Better http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/winter07/articles/winter07pg24-25.html
- Return to top
Seniors
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) http://nihseniorhealth.gov/copd/toc.html(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)
- Return to top
Patient Handouts
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - adults - dischargeChronic obstructive pulmonary disease - adults - discharge http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000009.htm
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000009.htm
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - control drugsChronic obstructive pulmonary disease - control drugs http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000025.htm
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000025.htm
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - quick-relief drugsChronic obstructive pulmonary disease - quick-relief drugs http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000026.htm
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000026.htm
- COPDCOPD http://www.acpfoundation.org/files/ht/copd_en.pdf?dbp(American College of Physicians Foundation) - PDF
- Lung surgery - dischargeLung surgery - discharge http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000242.htm
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000242.htm
- Oxygen safetyOxygen safety http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000049.htm
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000049.htm
- Postural drainagePostural drainage http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000051.htm
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000051.htm
- Using oxygen at homeUsing oxygen at home http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000048.htm
- Also available in SpanishSpanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000048.htm
- Return to top
You may also be interested in these related encyclopedia pages:
- Blood gases - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003855.htm
- Bronchoscopy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003857.htm
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000091.htm
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - adults - discharge - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000009.htm
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - control drugs - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000025.htm
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - quick-relief drugs - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000026.htm
- COPD - what to ask your doctor - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000215.htm
- Lung surgery - discharge - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000242.htm
- Oxygen safety - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000049.htm
- Peak expiratory flow rate - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003443.htm
- Postural drainage - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000051.htm
- Pulmonary function tests - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003853.htm
- Pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scan - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003828.htm
- Using oxygen at home - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000048.htm
- Using oxygen at home - what to ask your doctor - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000251.htm
You may also be interested in these related MedlinePlus topics:
- Asthma - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthma.html
- Breathing Problems - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breathingproblems.html
- Bronchitis - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/bronchitis.html
- Emphysema - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/emphysema.html
- Oxygen Therapy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/oxygentherapy.html
- Lungs and Breathing - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lungsandbreathing.html
The primary NIH organization for research on COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/copdchronicobstructivepulmonarydisease.html
Date last updated: 03 November 2010
Topic last reviewed: 04 October 2010
MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA
- Blood gases
- Bronchoscopy
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - adults - discharge
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - control drugs
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - quick-relief drugs
- COPD - what to ask your doctor
- Lung surgery - discharge
- Oxygen safety
- Peak expiratory flow rate
Related Topics
National Institutes of Health
- The primary NIH organization for research on COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Languages
- Arabic (العربية)
- Bosnian (Bosanski)
- Chinese - Simplified (简体中文)
- Chinese - Traditional (繁體中文)
- French (français)
- Hindi (हिन्दी)
- Japanese (日本語)
- Korean (한국어)
- Portuguese (português)
- Russian (Русский)
- Somali (af Soomaali)
- Spanish (español)
- Tagalog (Tagalog)
- Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)
Mobile version Get email updates Subscribe to RSS Follow us on Twitter
Disclaimers Copyright Privacy Accessibility Quality Guidelines
U.S. National Library of Medicine 8600 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, MD 20894 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health
Page last updated on 03 November 2010 Topic last reviewed 04 October 2010
--
Any questions, please drop me a line.
******************************************************
Follow us on:
Blogger:
http://4nursing.blogspot.com/
Facebook:
http://www.nursefriendly.com/facebook
Linked In:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/nursefriendly
Nursing Entrepreneurs, Nurses In Business
http://nursingentrepreneurs.ning.com/
Twitter!
http://www.nursefriendly.com/twitter
StumbleUpon,
http://www.nursefriendly.com/stumbleupon
******************************************************
Sincerely,
Andrew Lopez, RN
Nursefriendly, Inc. A New Jersey Corporation.
38 Tattersall Drive, Mantua New Jersey 08051
http://www.nursefriendly.com info@nursefriendly.com ICQ #6116137
856-415-9617, (fax) 415-9618
150,000 + Nurse-Reviewed & Approved Nursing Links
http://www.4nursing.com
http://www.howtostartanursingagency.com
http://www.jocularity.com
http://www.nursinghumor.com
http://www.nursefriendly.com
http://www.nursingentrepreneurs.com
http://www.nursingexperts.com