Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic, progressive lung disease. In COPD, the lungs become inflamed and can’t work at full capacity. Symptoms of COPD vary but may include coughing, wheezing, trouble breathing, chest tightness, and fatigue.

There’s no cure for COPD, but treating the condition can help slow its progression and improve your quality of life.

What Is COPD?

In COPD, damage to the lungs makes it difficult to breathe and take in enough oxygen. The damage caused by COPD is permanent. Getting diagnosed with COPD in its earlier stages can help you manage symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.

There are different types of COPD. The most common ones are chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Chronic bronchitis happens when the airways are blocked due to inflammation in the lining. Thick mucus builds up, causing coughing and wheezing.

Emphysema happens when the alveoli (tiny air sacs in the lungs that exchange oxygen) are destroyed. This makes it harder for air to move in and out of the lungs. Many people living with COPD have both chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

What Is the Main Cause of COPD?

COPD develops when the lungs become damaged, most commonly from smoking. About 75 percent of people living with COPD currently smoke cigarettes or have smoked cigarettes in the past.

People with asthma are also at increased risk of developing COPD. Long-term exposure to burning fuel for cooking, chemicals, and air pollution can also increase risk. People with the genetic disorder alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (alpha-1) may develop COPD even if they have never smoked.

The History of COPD

In 1679, Swiss physician Théophile Bonet described “voluminous lungs,” which is thought to have been a description of emphysema.

Chronic bronchitis was identified in 1814 by English doctor Charles Badham as part of the family of COPD diseases. In the early 1800s, French physician René Laënnec, who invented the stethoscope, described COPD as a condition in which the lungs cannot release air effectively. Smoking was less common then, so Laënnec focused on other causes such as genetics and air pollution. His work is thought to have described both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The spirometer, a device that measures lung capacity, was invented in 1846 by English surgeon John Hutchinson. It was later improved by French physiologist Robert Tiffeneau. The spirometer remains a key tool in diagnosing lung conditions today.

In the 1950s, American pulmonologist Edward Gaensle built on Tiffeneau’s work, publishing research on air velocity measurements. These measurements became the basis for the forced expiratory volume (FEV1) and the FEV1/forced vital capacity (FVC) ratio used to diagnose COPD. At that time, the main COPD treatments included antibiotics, mucus thinners, and theophylline (a compound related to caffeine, still used today). Oxygen therapy and exercise were not yet recognized as effective treatments.

By the 1990s, the importance of quitting smoking and pulmonary rehabilitation was established. Inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids became accepted as standard treatments for COPD. Today, many people with COPD take medications that combine these drug types for long-term maintenance.

How Common Is COPD?

Over 14 million adults in the U.S. have COPD. Many with COPD are undiagnosed. In fact, as many as 80 percent of those with reduced lung function may not realize they have COPD.

Symptoms of COPD, like coughing or shortness of breath, are often dismissed as signs of aging, a cold, or other conditions. COPD is most often diagnosed in adults aged 40 or older.

Can a Person With COPD Get Better?

COPD can’t be cured, but early diagnosis, quitting smoking, and following a treatment plan can help slow disease progression and improve your quality of life. Talk to a pulmonologist about the treatments they recommend so you can manage COPD effectively and protect your lungs from further damage.

Join the Conversation

On MyCOPDTeam, people share their experiences with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

How does COPD affect your daily life? Let others know in the comments below.