The term "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," or COPD, is used to describe lung conditions linked to blockages in airflow. Lung function progressively deteriorates in COPD. Breathing becomes challenging as a result. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are two lung conditions that are related to each other and are commonly referred to as COPD. Both of these disorders are common in individuals with COPD.

Smoking is the main cause of COPD. Smoking is a habit for the majority of people with COPD. Chemicals and dusts from the workplace may also aggravate COPD. COPD may also be exacerbated by extended exposure to other airborne irritants such as chemicals, dust, or pollution.

What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

A collection of chronic lung diseases are referred to collectively as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is a term that can be used to describe emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These two conditions are prevalent in many COPD sufferers. As a result of the partially blocked airways that carry air to and from your lung, COPD causes lung function to deteriorate over time. It is therefore challenging to breach.

What is the cause of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Smoking is the primary cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking is a habit for the majority of people with COPD. COPD can also be exacerbated by dust and cheminals from the workplace. Another factor that may contribute to COPD is prolonged exposure to other airborne irritants such as dust, pollutants, or cheminals.

What are the symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Sympstoms of chronic obstructive disease (COPD) include:

• Chronic cough
• Shortness of breath
• Thightness in the chest
• Mucus (sputum) production

The symptoms typically take time to manifest. Even though a person with COPD has a persistent cough, the disease is not contagious.

Some of the symptoms of COPD, such as coughing and shortness of breath, are very similar to those of heart failure. However, heart failure is caused by heart and blood vessel disease, whereas COPD is a type of lung disease.

In addition to heart diseases like heart failure, smoking can also cause COPD. COPD, on the other hand, is brought on by smoking's effects on the lungs. On the other hand, smoking's effects on the blood vessels may lead to heart disease. Visit the Health Conditions section to find out more about heart conditions like heart failure.

What tests could I have?

To diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), your doctors may recommend one or more of the tests listed below. Your doctor's decision regarding the appropriate course of treatment for you may also be influenced by the test results.

In certain situations, you might be referred to experts for testing and diagnosis—and occasionally for treatment. Visit the Your Treatment Team section to find out more.

Chest x-ray

What is a chest x-ray

A chest x-ray produces an image of your heart, lungs, and nearby blood vessels. It reveals the:

• Size and shape of your heart
• Presence of fluid around your lungs
• Positions and shape of your large arteries

Heart diseases are among the many ailments that an x-ray can help diagnose. Additionally, if you have a cardiac device, such as a pacemaker, the x-ray displays both the device and the coated wires, or leads, that supply power to your heart.

What can I expect?

You undress on a hospital gown and wais up for a chest x-ray. To partially shield you from any excess radiation, you are wearing a heavy apron made of flexible lead. (X-rays produce images with very little radiation. As the picture is being taken, you stand in front of the x-ray machine and hold your breath. A side and a back view are typically requested by your doctor.

Important Safety Information

There are potential risks and side effects associated with medications, procedures, and tests. The outcome varies from patient to patient. The advice from your physician should not be substituted by this knowledge. Make sure you discuss these risks and potential side effects with your doctor.

Spirometry

You can find out how well your lungs function and how well you can breathe with a spirometry test. Take multiple deep breaths and blow into a hose throughout the test. Early detection of COPD is possible with spirometry testing, which can also help slow the disease's progression through treatment and lifestyle modifications.

What are the treatment options?

Living a healthier lifestyle may be part of your treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) because lifestyle factors can affect the disease. Your physician or nurse, for instance, can suggest some stop-smoking programs that might be effective for you if you smoke. See the section on Risk Factors for more information.

Your test results will determine other forms of treatment. In order to increase the amount of oxygen that reaches your lungs, your doctor might advise one or more of the following: oxygen treatments, surgery, pneumonia vaccination, or brochodilators or steroids.

Heart failure and COPD symptoms can occasionally be confused. However, COPS therapies are lung-focused. Additionally, heart and blood vessel treatments are the main foci of failure.

Important Safety Information

Tests, surgeries, and medications all carry some risk and potential negative effects. Individual patient outcomes may differ. The advice from your physician should not be substituted by this knowledge. Make sure you discuss these risks and potential side effects with your physician.