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Our FAQs address detailed and common questions about COPD. If you still have unanswered questions after reviewing this portal, feel free to contact our team at contact@euforea.org. Please note that we cannot answer personal inquiries.
The diagnosis of COPD may be suspected based on your symptoms (breathlessness, long-term coughing, recurrent chest infections) and the presence of certain risk factors, such as a history of smoking or long-term exposure to dust, fumes, or chemicals at work. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor will perform a breathing test called spirometry. During this test, you blow into a tube connected to a machine that measures how much air you can exhale and how quickly. This reveals whether your lungs have difficulty pushing air out, a key sign of COPD. Sometimes, additional tests are performed to confirm the diagnosis or to check for other conditions that may occur together with COPD. Unfortunately, many people with COPD go undiagnosed because symptoms develop slowly and are often mistaken for normal aging or the effects of smoking. Some people also delay seeing a doctor because they feel guilty about smoking, and doctors may not immediately suspect COPD since symptoms resemble other conditions. If you experience long-term breathing issues, talk to your healthcare provider.
First of all, we understand that being diagnosed with a long-term health condition can bring feelings of powerlessness, frustration, or disappointment. These feelings are completely valid, and it is normal to need time to adjust and to wonder why you developed this condition.
It is important to know that anyone can develop COPD. Although it is often referred to as a “smoker’s disease,” this is not always the case — about one in four people with COPD have never smoked. Other risk factors include long-term exposure to lung irritants (such as air pollution, secondhand smoke, dust, fumes, or chemicals at work), as well as frequent chest infections, maternal smoking during pregnancy, and being born prematurely. In rare cases, COPD is caused by a genetic condition called alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.
Asthma and COPD both cause breathing problems like coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, but they are different conditions.
Asthma often starts earlier in life and symptoms usually come and go. In between attacks, breathing is often normal. COPD usually affects people over 40 and is linked to long-term exposure to lung irritants like cigarette smoke or air pollution. In COPD, symptoms tend to be present most of the time and gradually get worse.
Lung function tests and your medical/family history help your doctor tell the difference, although telling them apart is not always easy. Asthma can sometimes appear later in life, and some people have features of both conditions. This overlap can make diagnosis tricky, which is why lung function testing is so important for getting an accurate diagnosis.
COPD is a long-term health condition that currently cannot be cured, but it can be treated and managed. Over time, the disease usually gets gradually worse, but the rate of progression varies from person to person. When you ask your healthcare provider about life expectancy, it can be difficult to get a clear answer. This is because it depends on many factors, such as the stage of your COPD, your age, overall health, and whether you smoke. You can take important steps to help manage your COPD: quit smoking if you haven’t already, go to regular check-ups, avoid lung irritants, use your COPD medicines as prescribed, stay up to date with vaccinations, and maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a balanced diet.
The feeling of shortness of breath does not necessarily mean you need oxygen therapy. The need for supplemental oxygen depends on the level of oxygen in your blood. This can be measured with a blood test, called an arterial blood gas test. Most people with COPD can manage their breathlessness with inhalers and breathing exercises. Breathlessness can have multiple causes including lung disease, heart disease, deconditioning (loss of physical fitness and muscle strength due to inactivity or bed rest), and psychological reasons.
Even though it might feel pointless to quit smoking now, stopping it is the most important thing you can do to help manage your condition. You can still get major health benefits, such as slowing lung damage, improving your quality of life, and lowering your risk of lung cancer. The tobacco smoke you inhale also irritates lungs and can make your COPD symptoms worse, so quitting will help you breathe easier. It is never too late to quit!
Pulmonary rehabilitation is designed for people living with long-term lung conditions who find that breathing problems affect their daily life. The programme includes exercises to improve your fitness and breathing, as well as education about the disease and management strategies.
Scientific research shows that pulmonary rehabilitation can help many people with COPD, even for people with more advanced disease. It improves breathing, increases energy, and enhances overall quality of life.
Unfortunately, COPD cannot be cured, but it can be managed with the right treatment and lifestyle changes. In general, COPD is considered to be a progressive disease, which means it may gradually worsen over time. However, recognising early warning signs and getting diagnosed early allows you to start treatment sooner. This helps slow disease progression and improve your quality of life.
Maintaining a healthy weight is important for several reasons. Eating well helps your body stay strong and fight infections, which may reduce your risk of COPD flare-ups. Some people with COPD lose weight without trying because breathing takes more energy, meaning your body needs extra calories and protein. On the other hand, being overweight can make it harder to breathe and put extra strain on your lungs. Finding the right balance helps you feel stronger and breathe easier.
It is recommended that people with COPD get vaccinated to lower the risk of becoming seriously ill from respiratory infections like the flu or COVID-19. Having COPD makes you more vulnerable to these infections, which can trigger severe flare-ups, sometimes leading to hospitalisation or the need for stronger treatments to manage your symptoms.
The answer is yes, but it is important to plan ahead. Air travel can sometimes be challenging for people with COPD because oxygen levels on planes are lower than on the ground. Your healthcare provider might recommend a “fit-to-fly” test (also called a Hypoxic Challenge Test or High Altitude Simulation Test) to check how well you cope with lower oxygen levels. If you’re already on oxygen therapy, you’ll need to either take your own materials with you on board or arrange with the airline to provide oxygen. Contact your airline early to find out what you’ll need to prepare before your trip.
Quitting smoking is the single most powerful thing you can do to reduce your risk of COPD flare-ups. Additionally, it is important to reduce your exposure to things that irritate your lungs, such as secondhand or woodburning smoke, strong smells, dust, chemical products, and fumes. Changes in weather can also affect your breathing. Cold, windy, or very hot air may trigger symptoms, so try wearing a scarf over your mouth and nose on cold days, using air conditioning during hot spells, or staying indoors when the weather is extreme. Finally, respiratory infections (like colds or the flu) are a common cause of flare-ups. Protect yourself by getting vaccinated and washing your hands regularly.
It is great that you want to stay active! Talk to your healthcare provider about which types of exercise are best for you. You may suggest working with a doctor or physiotherapist to create a safe, personalised, and effective exercise plan. You might even be referred for a pulmonary rehabilitation programme.
When working out, it is important to start slowly and build up your activity level gradually. If you start feeling breathless or notice more cough, pace yourself and use your breathing techniques. Listen to your body: do not strain yourself too much, and implement frequent short breaks.
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