What You Don't Know About COPD

As November is COPD Awareness Month, it seems like the ideal time to break down exactly what COPD is.

COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, refers to several chronic lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema that limit airflow in and out of the lungs.

The COPD Foundation estimates that 30 million American are affected by COPD. Because COPD most often occurs in people more than 40 years of age who smoke or have done so earlier in life, it’s often referred to as a ‘smoker’s disease.’ However, although smoking is one of the main risk factors for developing COPD, people who never smoke may also develop COPD.

Other risk factors may include:

A history of infections: Childhood respiratory infections, HIV, and tuberculosis can all increase your risk for COPD.

Exposure to lung irritants: These may include smoke from a coal or wood burning stove, air pollution, chemical fumes and dust from the environment or workplace, and secondhand cigarette smoke.

A history of asthma:  About 1 in 5 people who have COPD also have asthma.

Having underdeveloped lungs.  

Genetic factors: A genetic condition called AAT (alpha-1 antitrypsin) deficiency increases the risk of developing COPD at any age.

While there currently is not cure for COPD, early diagnosis is important to effectively managing and treating it.

The most common early symptoms include:

- A lingering and/or productive cough

- Shortness of breath

- Wheezing

- Tightness in your chest

- Weight loss

- Difficulty sleeping

- Fatigue

- Reoccurring lung infections like acute bronchitis or pneumonia

Even if you don’t experience all these symptoms, you may still have COPD. In addition, COPD may develop slowly but as the disease progresses symptoms often get worse. Very often, people find themselves cutting back on their day-to-day routines and activities in response to symptoms, which has the unfortunate effect of further reducing lung function.

If this is true for you, or, if you’re experiencing symptoms, contact your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment to be evaluated. Diagnosing COPD often involves a blood test, imaging, and lung function tests; none of which are invasive or painful beyond a needle stick.

Again, there are ways to manage and treat COPD. The sooner you get diagnosed, the sooner you can begin a treatment plan to keep your lungs as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

Disha Geriani, MD specializes in pulmonary medicine and critical care at SVHC in Bennington.