For those who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), every breath can be a struggle. COPD is a serious health condition that narrows airways and makes it hard to breathe. Over time, it can get worse and lead to other serious health issues.

Millions of Americans have been diagnosed with COPD. And many more may have the disease and not know it. COPD develops slowly. Symptoms often worsen over time and can limit your ability to do routine activities, like walking or housework.

What Causes COPD?

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of COPD. If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease  (COPD), it’s important to stop smoking. If you do, it can slow the progress of COPD.

About 25 percent of people with COPD have never smoked. Long-term exposure to other lung irritants, like chemicals or air pollution, may be a factor. Causes other than smoking include:

• Indoor air pollution from cleaning products, burning wood in fireplaces and scented candles
• Exposure to dust and chemical fumes in the workplace
• Asthma
• Frequent respiratory infections, especially during childhood
• Heavy or long-term exposure to secondhand smoke and other air pollutants

To lower your risk for COPD, don’t smoke and try to avoid other lung irritants. For example, if your home is being painted or sprayed for insects, have it done while you are away. Keep your windows closed and stay indoors when pollen counts or ozone rates are high.

Testing for COPD

If you have a cough that doesn’t go away, let your doctor know. Tell them how long you've had it, how much you cough, and how much mucus comes up when you cough. If you have a family history of COPD, make sure your doctor knows.

Your doctor will examine you and listen for wheezing or other abnormal chest sounds. They may recommend one or more tests to diagnose COPD. 

One common test for COPD is spirometry. It’s a painless test. A technician asks you to take a deep breath in. Next, you'll blow as hard as you can into a tube connected to a small machine. The machine is called a spirometer.

The machine measures how much air you breathe out. It also measures how fast you can blow air out. You may be given medicine to inhale before the test is repeated, so results can be compared.

Spirometry can detect COPD before you show signs of the illness. Your doctor also might use the test to find out how bad your COPD is and to help plan your treatment.

The test results also may help find out whether another illness, like asthma or other conditions, is causing your health problems.

How to Manage COPD

If you have COPD, two of the most important things you can do are to quit smoking and get ongoing medical care.

Follow your treatments for COPD exactly as your doctor directs. It can help you breathe easier, stay more active and avoid severe symptoms. Ask your doctor about getting COVID-19, flu and pneumonia shots.

Call your doctor if your symptoms grow worse, or if you have any signs of an infection, such as a fever. 

Seek emergency medical help if you have these symptoms and they are not normal for you or are worse than normal for you:

• You have more difficulty walking or talking than usual for you
• Your heart is beating very fast or irregularly
• Your breathing is fast and hard, even when you use your medicine

And any time your fingernails or lips become gray or blue, get medical help right away.

COPD has no cure, but treatments and changing your habits can help you feel better and stay more active.

Sources: About COPD,  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024; What Is COPD?,  National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health (NHLBI), 2024; Pulmonary Function Tests,  NHLBI; Screening for Lung Cancer,  CDC, 2024