COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Frequently Asked Questions

Learning about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD):	What is COPD? What causes COPD? Can I prevent it? What are the symptoms? What happens in COPD? What increases my risk? What is a COPD exacerbation? How common is COPD?
Being diagnosed:	Who can diagnose COPD? How is it diagnosed?
Getting treatment:	How is COPD treated? What medicines will I need to take? Will I need surgery? What is oxygen treatment? What is pulmonary rehabilitation?
Ongoing concerns:	What complications can develop? What should I do if my symptoms suddenly get worse?
Living with COPD:	What can I do at home to relieve symptoms? When should I call my doctor? How can I avoid triggers? What exercises can I do? How do I use breath training to breathe easier? How can I clear my lungs? How do I eat right? How can I avoid weight loss? How do I use a metered-dose inhaler? How do I use a dry powder inhaler? How do I use oxygen at home?
End-of-life issues:	How can I prepare for end-of-life issues?

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Author:	Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS Cynthia Tank	Last Updated: May 8, 2008
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology
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