Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

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What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. There are two main forms of COPD: chronic bronchitis, which causes inflammation that narrows your airways, and emphysema, which damages tiny air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. Chronic bronchitis symptoms typically include a long-term cough with mucus, while emphysema causes shortness of breath. Many people with COPD have both conditions.

While there is no cure for COPD, experts at Penn Medicine can help you live more comfortably with the disease while slowing its progression. We have dedicated specialists in chronic lung disease care who create individualized treatment plans to help you manage your COPD and maintain the best possible quality of life.

Symptoms of COPD

COPD progresses through various stages, from mild to severe. Because COPD symptoms develop slowly, many people may not know they have COPD until there’s some damage to the lungs. As COPD progresses to later stages, you may have flare-ups that are more frequent or severe, sometimes requiring hospitalization.

Symptoms may include:

  • Cough, with or without mucus
  • Frequent respiratory infections
  • Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that gets worse with mild activity
  • Trouble catching one’s breath or breathing deeply
  • Wheezing or unusual sounds when breathing
  • Fatigue
  • Skin with a bluish tint

Additionally, there can be complications related to COPD, including pneumonia, collapsed lungs, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia), thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), and anxiety or depression. It’s important that you see your doctor regularly and get treated for any complications promptly to help you stay healthy.

What causes COPD?

While there are many causes of COPD, smoking is the most common. Certain environmental factors and genetic conditions can also cause the disease. Those assigned female at birth or over age 65 may be at higher risk.

Diagnosing COPD

Your pulmonology specialist will listen to your lungs and check for wheezing or abnormal breathing. They’ll also check your breathing capacity to evaluate lung function. Imaging may be ordered to assess visual signs of COPD, along with blood tests that measure the amount of oxygen or carbon dioxide in the blood. If alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency is suspected, a specialized blood test will likely be ordered to detect this genetic condition.

X-ray
We use x-rays to diagnose broken bones, lung problems, and many other conditions.
CT scan
A CT scan helps diagnose traumatic injuries, cancer, vascular diseases, and many other conditions.
Pulmonary function tests
These tests look at various aspects of your lung function to help diagnose and treat pulmonary disease.

COPD treatments

While there is no cure for COPD, you can take steps to relieve symptoms and keep the disease from getting worse. If you are a smoker, the best way to slow lung damage is to quit smoking. For symptom relief, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce inflammation in the lungs and airways. Antibiotics may be prescribed if you have an infection, which can make COPD symptoms worse. Additional treatments or pulmonary rehabilitation may be needed for more severe cases or during flare-ups.

Lung transplant surgery
Lung transplant surgery is a lifesaving procedure for end-stage lung disease.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)
 This life-saving therapy takes over heart and lung function when the organs aren’t working properly.
Lung volume reduction surgery
When emphysema causes severe lung damage, removing the most damaged tissue can help improve your breathing. 
BiPAP therapy
This therapy helps people breathe more effectively without the need for surgery or a breathing tube.

Living with COPD

You can take steps every day to keep COPD from getting worse, protect your lungs, and stay healthy.

Expert treatment for chronic lung disease

Penn Pulmonology specialists diagnose and treat chronic lung diseases like COPD. Our multidisciplinary care includes access to lung doctors, radiologists, chest surgeons, advanced practice nurses, and respiratory therapists all in one convenient location.

We don’t just treat the disease. We educate you about the cause of your COPD and what you can expect in the future from your treatment options. We encourage you to ask questions and discuss vital issues so you can be an active participant in your treatment plan. Whether you need early treatment for a mild case of COPD or more advanced treatment, you can count on us to provide a full range of clinical care and support services to help you manage the disease and feel better.

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The Fishman Program is a leader in managing noninvasive ventilation for adults with chronic respiratory failure.
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Pulmonary rehabilitation
When breathing is a challenge, our provider-guided exercises and techniques help reduce your symptoms.

Schedule an appointment

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Find a doctorCall 800-789-7366