In this article we will describe 10 COPD facts and figures. Here is a summary of the basics.
What is COPD? COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is common, affecting 2% of the population, and about 5% of those who are over 40 years. It is a long term lung disease where you cough, and slowly become more short of breath. There is initially a dry cough but later it has with sputum with it. You may have recurrent lung infections in which the COPD gets worse, and have to come into hospital.
For most patients it is caused by smoking.
COPD includes 2 lung disorders: chronic obstructive bronchitis and emphysema. Many people have both disorders.
Chronic obstructive bronchitis means a cough where you bring up sputum for at least 3 months total over 2 or more years in row. Emphysema means damage to the air sacs in your lungs.
COPD takes years to develop and get worse.
In your 40s or 50s, you may have:
In your 60s, you may have:
After you have had COPD for a long time, you may notice:
Symptoms of exacerbations of COPD (flare-ups)
An exacerbation (or flare-up) of COPD is a worsening of your symptoms. This can happen over hours or day. Flare-ups can happen at any age. They are caused by getting a cold, flu, or other lung infection that affects your breathing. See your doctor right away if you have these symptoms:
A serious flare-up can lead to a dangerously low level of oxygen in your blood (a condition called acute respiratory failure). This may lead to the need for a ventilator (breathing machine) or something called Non-Invasive Ventilation (NIV; similar to CPAP) on the intensive care unit (ICU).
So. Go to A&E right away if you have these symptoms:
Doctors will usually suspect COPD based on your symptoms. They will do a chest x-ray and tests to find out how well your lungs are working (PFTs, pulmonary function tests). Doctors may check if the level of oxygen in your blood is low using a sensor placed on a fingertip.
Chest x-ray of advanced COPD
If you are young, have never smoked, and have a family history of COPD, doctors may do other tests to see if your symptoms are caused by a different problem, e.g:
Doctors cannot fix the damage in your lungs and airways.
If you are a smoker, you need to stop smoking to keep COPD from getting worse. Doctors may give you medicines to help you stop, such as nicotine gum or a patch.
Doctors may also give you inhalers and tablets to increase airflow and make it easier to breathe. Some medicines and inhalers are also used to prevent symptoms. Some COPD medicines are given through an inhaler. This allows you to breathe medicine directly into your lungs.
You may also need oxygen therapy to increase the amount of oxygen in your blood. Oxygen is usually given through prongs worn in your nose.
Doctors may suggest you go to pulmonary rehabilitation to help improve your quality of life.
To treat serious COPD symptoms or flare-ups, you may need to stay in the hospital. If an infection has caused the flare-up, you may need antibiotics.
Bullectomy
COPD can make the tiny air sacs in your lungs get larger. They are then called bullae. It’s not too common, but they can grow big enough to get in the way of your breathing. A surgeon can remove them to help you breathe more easily.
Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS)
For some people, this operation to remove parts of your lungs, can improve breathing and quality of life. You also need to quit smoking and show that you can stick to your pulmonary rehabilitation plan.
Lung transplant
This is when you get a healthy lung from a donor. It has serious risks. For instance, your body may reject the new lung. Doctors typically suggest this surgery for people who have severe lung damage due to COPD but no other health problems.
All patients should have COVID-19 vaccinations, a pneumococcal vaccine and annual influenza vaccine.
The exact length of time you can live with COPD depends on your age, health, symptoms and its severity. Especially if your COPD is diagnosed early, and you have mild stage COPD, you may be able to live for up to 20 years after diagnosis.
For example, one study found that people who were diagnosed with mild stage COPD, had no shorter life expectancy than healthy people. People with severe COPD will lose about 8-9 years of life expectancy on average.
We have described 10 COPD facts and figures. If you do all of the above, you will get better care – and your breathing and other symptoms of COPD should improve.