COPD Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

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

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

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

Assessing Your Risk for COPD
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.

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

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

Is it Asthma or COPD?
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.

COPD Pathophysiology
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.

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

Fatigue and COPD
Learn tips for managing fatigue that comes with COPD.

End Stage COPD
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 and why the term is obsolete when it comes to lung disease.

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

5 Signs and Symptoms of a Lung Infection
Learn the signs and symptoms of a lung infection to better manage your disease.

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

COPD and Women
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.

Are You at Risk for COPD?
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.

Lung Function Decline in COPD - Facts About Lung Function Decline in COPD...
Learn the facts about lung function decline in COPD after smoking cessation.

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

The Effects of Pollution on 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.

23 Common COPD Triggers
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.

If you've been diagnosed with COPD, you probably have a lot of questions for...
If you've been diagnosed with COPD, you probably have a lot of questions for your doctor. Check out the following list of 10 questions for your doctor about COPD and print them out to take with you to your next doctor appointment.

Factors That Influence Spirometry Results
Spirometry results are influenced by a variety of factors. Learn more about your spirometer test and how to ensure accurate results.

Obstructive versus Restrictive Lung Diseases
When comparing differences between obstructive versus restrictive lung diseases, pulmonary function tests play an important role. Learn more about how doctors determine which is which.