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COPD - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - is a general
term which includes the conditions chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
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Chronic means persistent |
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Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi (the airways
of the lungs). |
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Emphysema is damage to the smaller airways and airsacs
(alveoli) of the lungs. |
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Pulmonary means 'affecting the lungs'. |
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Chronic bronchitis or emphysema can cause obstruction
(narrowing) of the airways. |
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Chronic bronchitis and emphysema commonly occur together.
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The term COPD is used to describe airways which are narrowed
due to chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. How common is COPD?
COPD is common. About one million people in the UK have COPD. It mainly
affects people over the age of 40. It accounts for more time off work
than any other illness.
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A flare-up (exacerbation) of COPD is one of the commonest
reasons for admission to hospital. |
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Smoking is the cause in the vast majority of cases. There
is no doubt about this. The lining of the airways becomes inflamed
and damaged by smoking. About 3 in 20 one-pack-per-day smokers, and
1 in 4 two-pack-per-day smokers develop COPD if they continue to smoke.
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Air pollution and polluted work conditions may cause
some cases, or make the disease worse. However, people who have never
smoked rarely develop COPD.
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| What are the symptoms of COPD? |
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Cough is usually the first symptom to develop. It is
productive with sputum (phlegm). It tends to come and go at first,
and then gradually becomes more persistent (chronic). You may think
of your cough as a 'smokers cough' in the early stages of the disease.
It is when the breathlessness begins that people often become concerned.
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Breathlessness ('short of breath') and wheeze may
occur only when you exert yourself at first, for example, when
you climb stairs. These symptoms tend to become gradually worse
over the years if you continue to smoke. Difficulty with breathing
may eventually become quite distressing.
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Sputum - the damaged airways make a lot more mucus
than normal. This forms sputum (phlegm). You tend to cough up a
lot of sputum each day.
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Chest infections are more common if you have COPD.
Wheezing with cough and breathlessness may become worse than usual
if you have a chest infection. Sputum usually turns yellow or green
during a chest infection.
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Peter Scott - Team Leader
