Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

German Iosif, MD
Board Certified Pulmonologist

What is COPD?
COPD is characterized by the obstruction of airflow in and out of the lungs.

COPD includes two major breathing disorders: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Many people with COPD suffer from both chronic bronchitis and emphysema and both frequently share the same symptoms. 

What are the differences between chronic bronchitis and emphysema?
Chronic Bronchitis is an inflammation of the airways in the lungs that leads to the overproduction of mucus with plugging and obstruction of these airways resulting in symptoms of cough, phlegm production and wheezing. 

Emphysema is characterized by the destruction of healthy lung tissue resulting in the formation of blebs and air pockets within the lungs.  These in turn cause compression of the airways with impaired flow of air during breathing and steady over-inflation of the lungs and chest with trapped air. Shortness of breath is the main manifestation of emphysema. 

What causes COPD?
Current and former cigarette smoking accounts for more the 90% of COPD patients; occupational exposure to dust, and possibly outdoor air pollution are less frequently identified.

What are the symptoms of COPD?
As many as 50% of COPD cases remain undiagnosed, and many people do not even realize that they have modified their daily lives to accommodate their decreasing lung capacity.

A persistent morning cough mistaken for a normal occurrence in a smoker, frequent bouts of so-called bronchitis that clear slowly after a cold, and increasing breathlessness during ordinary activities blamed on being part of the normal aging process can be early manifestations of the disease.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, talk to your physician.  The diagnosis can be easily established through simple lung function testing available at many doctors’ offices and your local hospital.  Early detection of COPD and prompt, aggressive treatment can greatly improve long-term prognosis.