COPD Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Definition of COPD.

Find out all the facts about COPD, including definition, causes, signs and symptoms, diagnostic testing, treatment and prevention options.

Cigarette smoking is the #1 risk factor for COPD. Other risk factors include secondhand smoke, air pollution and work-related exposure to irritants.

Signs and symptoms of COPD can be debilitating. Find out more about the signs and symptoms of COPD.

Learn about the many ways to diagnose COPD including labs tests, x-rays, pulmonary function tests, pulse oximetry and lung diffusion studies.

COPD is on the rise. That's why it's important to detect the disease early in its course. This validated, COPD screening tool will help you find out if you may be at risk for COPD.

A COPD diagnosis starts with a thorough COPD history and physical. Learn more about what to expect from a COPD history and physical.

The stages of COPD define COPD according to COPD severity. Learn more about understanding the stages of COPD.

COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an umbrella term for a broad classification of disorders that are characterized by obstruction of the airways and limitation to airflow. Diseases that fall under the scope of COPD include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and bronchiectasis. Learn more about how to manage each type of COPD.

COPD pathophysiology is not completely understood, but is characterized by degeneration and destruction of the lungs and their supporting tissue. Learn more about COPD pathophysiology and how your lungs work.

In COPD, lung disease is determined by pulmonary function tests including spirometry, diffusion and body plethysmography testing.

Do you suffer from asthma, or is it COPD? Distinguishing between the two can be quite challenging, even for medical professionals. Here are a list of questions to ask yourself.

End stage COPD is a term which is often applied, rather carelessly, to the disease when health care practitioners feel that they have done all they can do, medically, for a patient. Learn more about the term [!*!QT!*!]end stage COPD[!*!QT!*!] and why the term is obsolete when it comes to lung disease.

Learn the signs and symptoms of a lung infection to better manage your disease.

Learn tips for managing fatigue that comes with COPD.

Learn more about how doctors make a differential diagnosis of COPD.

COPD in the never-smoker is more common than you think. Learn more about COPD in the never-smoker.

COPD and women is a topic that is only recently gaining the attention it deserves. Learn more about how COPD affects women differently than men.

Learn the facts about lung function decline in COPD after smoking cessation.

Are you at risk for COPD? The following risk factors for COPD will help you understand your risk, and help you decide what to do about it.

Occupational exposure to airway irritants may put you at greater risk for COPD. Learn more about occupational COPD.

The effects of pollution, both indoor and outdoor, are hazardous to the lungs and thought to increase the risk for COPD. Learn more about the effects of pollution on COPD.

COPD triggers can greatly impact your quality of life and land you in the hospital. Learn more about COPD triggers and how to avoid them.