Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

by National Institute on Aging

What is COPD?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a lung disease in which the lung is damaged, making it hard to breathe. In COPD, the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs become partially blocked, making it difficult to get air in and out. COPD is a major cause of death and illness throughout the world. It is the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the world.

Diagram of lungs.The airways of the lungs branch out like an upside-down tree. At the end of each branch are many small, balloon-like air sacs. In healthy people, each airway is clear and open and the air sacs are small, elastic, and springy. When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air, like a small balloon, and when you breathe out, the balloon deflates and the air goes out.

In COPD, the airways and air sacs lose their shape and become floppy. Less air gets in and less air goes out because

• The airways and air sacs lose their elasticity like an old rubber band
• The walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed
• The walls of the airways become thick and inflamed or swollen
• Cells in the airways make more mucus or sputum than usual, which tends to clog the airways.

Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Most people with COPD are smokers or former smokers. Breathing in other kinds of lung irritants like pollution, dust, or chemicals over a long period of time may also cause or contribute to COPD.

COPD develops slowly, and it may be many years before you notice symptoms like feeling short of breath. Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle-aged or older people.

There is no cure for COPD. The damage to your airways and lungs cannot be reversed, but there are things you can do to feel better and slow the damage to your lungs.

COPD is not contagious. You cannot catch it from someone else.

Quiz

1. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, causes blockages in the lungs.

TRUE is the correct answer. In COPD, the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs become partially blocked, or obstructed, making it difficult to get air in and out.

2. COPD is common in all age groups.

FALSE is the correct answer. Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle-aged or older people.

3. Lung infections are the most common cause of COPD.

FALSE is the correct answer. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause. Most people with COPD are smokers or former smokers.

4. COPD can be cured.

FALSE is the correct answer. There is no cure for COPD. The damage to the airways cannot be reversed, but there are things you can do to feel better and slow the damage to your lungs.

Causes and Prevention

Most cases of COPD develop over time, from breathing in fumes and other things that irritate and damage the lungs and airways. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD.

Pipe, cigar, and other types of tobacco smoking can also cause COPD, especially if the smoke is inhaled. Breathing in other fumes and dusts over a long period of time may also cause COPD.

Pack of cigarettes.Most people with COPD are smokers or have been smokers in the past. People with a family history of COPD are more likely to get the disease if they smoke. Secondhand smoke can play a role in causing COPD. COPD occurs most often in people 40 years old or older.

You may also be at risk for COPD if you have worked around certain kinds of chemicals and breathed in the fumes for many years, worked in a dusty area for many years, or have had heavy exposure to air pollution. Also, if you have had frequent, severe lung infections in childhood, you may have a greater chance of lung damage that can lead to COPD.

In rare cases, COPD is caused by a gene-related disorder called alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency. People with the alpha 1 antitrypsin protein in their blood may experience lung damage and COPD. If people with this condition smoke, the disease progresses more rapidly.

If you smoke, the most important thing you can do to prevent more lung damage is to stop smoking. It is also important to stay away from people who smoke and places where you know there will be smokers.

Quiz

1. Cigarettes are the only cause of COPD.

FALSE is the correct answer. Pipe, cigar, and other types of tobacco smoking can also cause COPD, especially if the smoke is inhaled. Breathing in other fumes and dusts over a long period of time may also cause COPD.

2. Secondhand smoke can play a role in causing COPD.

TRUE is the correct answer. Breathing in fumes like secondhand smoke over a long period of time can cause COPD.

3. COPD can be caused by a genetic disorder.

TRUE is the correct answer. In rare cases, COPD is caused by a gene-related disorder. If people with this disorder smoke, the disease progresses more rapidly.

4. Quitting smoking is the most important way to prevent COPD.

TRUE is the correct answer. Stopping smoking can prevent further lung damage for those with COPD.

About the Author

www.nia.nih.gov
NIA, one of the 27 Institutes and Centers of NIH, leads a broad scientific effort to understand the nature of aging and to extend the healthy, active years of life. In 1974, Congress granted authority to form NIA to provide leadership in aging research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs relevant to aging and older people.