Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

• How is COPD diagnosed?

• How is COPD treated?

• Where can I learn more about COPD?

• What are the symptoms COPD?

• What do I need to talk to my doctor about?

To figure out if you have COPD, your doctor may do one or many of these diagnostic tests:
Ask questions about your health history
You doctor may ask:

• What is your smoking history?
• Do you suffer from shortness of breath?
• What makes your shortness of breath worse?
• Do you cough?
• Do you bring up sputum (phlegm, mucus), and if so, what does it look like?
• What is your family history of lung disease?

Spirometry
Spirometry is a common and effective diagnostic test that can easily be done in your doctor’ s office or at a nearby hospital or clinic. You will be asked to blow, as long and hard as you can, into a small tube attached to a machine. The machine measures how long it takes to blow out all the air from your lungs. The more blocked your airways, the longer it takes to blow the air out. Spirometry is the most reliable method of testing your lungs.
Chest x-ray
The x-ray will help the doctor see if there is damage to the lungs.
Blood test
This measures the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in your blood.

 

How is COPD treated?

COPD can’t be cured, but it can be treated. Proper COPD treatment includes these steps:

1. Quit smoking to slow down your COPD
2. Take COPD medications to prevent and lessen symptoms
3. Make changes to your lifestyle to stay healthy, and fight germs to prevent infections
4. Join a respiratory rehabilitation program to learn how to breathe better and exercise
5. Prevent and control your COPD flare-ups
6. Work with your healthcare team

For certain people with COPD, doctors may also recommend surgery.

 

Where can I learn more about COPD?

Visit www.lung.ca

 

What are the symptoms of COPD?

People with COPD usually have a combination of these symptoms:

• Feeling short of breath
• A barrel-shaped chest
• Wheezing
• Frequent, long-lasting lung infections (the flu, pneumonia, etc.)
• Feeling tired (fatigue)
• Losing weight without trying

 

What do I need to talk to my doctor about?

You may want to discuss with your doctor:

• all your symptoms, especially if they are getting worse
• what chores and activities you find the hardest
• what you can do to keep healthy: how to eat, how to exercise, etc.
• what things trigger your COPD
• if you are using more of your rescue inhaler (blue puffer) than usual
• questions about your treatment
• concerns you may have about your medicines or their side effects
• what to expect in the future

 

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