COPD Resource Center
Health ConditionsLung & RespiratoryCOPD

COPD

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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that blocks airflow to your lungs, making breathing difficult. COPD typically causes coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness, and your lungs might also bring up more mucus while coughing.

 COPD is a progressive disease — meaning that no cure is available and it worsens over time — but treatment can help manage symptoms and improve your quality of life. Lifestyle changes like quitting smoking and taking medications as prescribed can also help slow the progression of COPD.

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What's the most challenging COPD symptom for you?

FAQ

What is the life expectancy of someone with COPD?

Life expectancy varies based on the severity of COPD, overall health, and whether the person continues to smoke. With treatment, many people live for years with COPD. Discuss ways to avoid flare-ups with your doctor.

The Social Security Administration recognizes severe COPD as a disabling condition if it limits your ability to work or perform daily activities. However, a diagnosis alone won’t qualify you, and medical evidence of impairment is necessary to claim benefits.

Doctors classify COPD into four stages based on lung function: mild (stage 1), moderate (stage 2), severe (stage 3), and very severe (stage 4). The results of a forced expiratory volume (FEV1) test define which stage you have.

As a progressive disease, COPD is irreversible and will continue to get worse over time. However, you can help slow its progression and reduce the risk of related diseases like lung cancer with treatment, medication, and lifestyle changes like smoking cessation.

End-stage COPD is the most severe stage and leads to extremely limited lung function. You may experience severe shortness of breath — even at rest — and need supplemental oxygen to support breathing.

Meet Our Experts In COPD
See Our Editorial PolicyMeet Our Health Expert Network
Everyday Health’s team of board-certified physicians and health professionals contribute to the creation and review of content, ensuring that the information is useful, up to date, and accurate.

David Mannino, MD

Medical Reviewer

David Mannino, MD, is the chief medical officer at the COPD Foundation. He has a long history of research and engagement in respiratory health.

After completing medical training as ...

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Justin Laube

Justin Laube, MD

Medical Reviewer

Justin Laube, MD, is a board-certified integrative and internal medicine physician, a teacher, and a consultant with extensive expertise in integrative health, medical education, a...

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Sanjai Sinha, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician and an assistant professor of clinical medicine and the director of the care management program at Weill Cornell ...
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Paul Boyce, MD, MPH

Paul Boyce, MD, MPH

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Paul Boyce, MD, MPH, is the medical director of the pulmonary hypertension program at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. He is a board-certified pulmonologist and intensivist, and his ...

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Rohan Mankikar, MD

Medical Reviewer

Rohan Mankikar, MD, is the chief of pulmonary medicine at Huntington Hospital and practices on Long Island. Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Mankikar studied medicine at The Medical...

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Philip Diaz, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Philip Diaz, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist and critical care specialist and a professor of medicine at The Ohio State University. He specializes in caring for patients wit...

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Michael-S-Niederman-bio

Michael S. Niederman, MD

Medical Reviewer
From NewYork-Presbyterian, Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Michael S. Niederman, MD, is the lead academic and patient quality officer in the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City;...

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Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. COPD. Mayo Clinic. August 30, 2024.
  2. Learn About COPD. American Lung Association. December 4, 2024.

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