COPD

What Is COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a generic name for three long-term lung diseases that affect the ability to breathe. The two most common forms of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which can occur either as a single disease or together. Chronic asthmatic bronchitis is the third condition under the COPD umbrella. COPD may produce mild symptoms at first, which can become progressively worse. COPD is the third leading cause of death in the U.S., according to the American Lung Association (ALA). In 2010, the latest year for which figures are available, it claimed 134,676 lives. Women are twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. And although men have historically been diagnosed with emphysema at a greater rate than women, the rate of diagnosis for women surpassed that of men in 2011 (2.6 million for men vs. 2.1 million for women).

What Causes COPD

Risk Factors For COPD

Diagnosing COPD

Symptoms of COPD

Prognosis

Living With COPD

Screening

Prevention

Medication And Treatment

Complementary and Alternative Treatment

When To Contact A Doctor

Questions For A Doctor