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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease in which the lungs are damaged, making it hard to breathe. COPD is an umbrella term for chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  Most people with COPD have both chronic bronchitis and emphysema.  In COPD, the airways—the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs—are partly blocked, making it difficult to get air in and out.

The airways branch out like an upside-down tree, and at the end of each branch are many small, balloon-like air sacs. In healthy people, each airway is clear and open. The air sacs are small and dainty, and both the airways and air sacs are elastic and springy. When you breathe in, each air sac fills up with air like a small balloon; 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 (swollen).
• Cells in the airways make more mucus (sputum) than usual, which tends to clog the airways.
• 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.

Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Most people with COPD are smokers or former smokers. However, 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 is a major cause of death and illness, and it is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States and throughout the world. Of the six leading causes of death, only COPD is increasing in deaths each year.

COPD develops slowly, and it may be many years before you notice risk factors such as shortness of breath, chronic coughing, sputum production, or unusual decline in activity. Most of the time, COPD is diagnosed in middle-aged or older people. Those at greatest risk need only to get a simple breathing test called spirometry.

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. First, if you think you might have COPD, see a doctor and find out. The earlier COPD is detected, the better off you will be in the long run.  Treatments are available and can improve your quality of life dramatically.

COPD is not contagious—you cannot catch it from someone else.

COPD remains relatively unknown or ignored by the public as well as public health and government officials.  Thus raising awareness and educating the public on the benefits of clean air is a top priority for Breathe New Hampshire and partners.

Reference:  National Heart Lung and Blood Institute

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