Updated Articles and Resources

By Deborah Leader, RN, About.com Guide

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - (COPD) Created: Thursday, March 27, 2008 Updated: Monday, May 21, 2012
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, is a lung disease characterized by a blockage of the airways. This results in a decrease of airflow both into and out of your lungs. Learn the facts abo...
COPD and Women - The Health Effects of COPD and Women Created: Wednesday, January 12, 2011 Updated: Sunday, May 20, 2012
COPD and women is a topic that, until recently, did not draw a lot of attention. Find out how COPD affects women differently and more about treatment considerations for women with COPD.
Risk for COPD - Assessing Your Risk for COPD Created: Saturday, May 12, 2012 Updated: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
COPD is on the rise. That's why it's important to detect the disease early in its course. This self-assessment tool will help you find out if you may be at risk for COPD or if your symptoms may be ...
Prevent COPD - How to Prevent COPD Created: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 Updated: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
How can you prevent COPD, especially if you are Santa Claus who smokes a pipe and is exposed to air pollution? The following tips should help Santa, and anyone else for that matter, prevent COPD.
Risk Factors for COPD Created: Tuesday, August 02, 2011 Updated: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
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.
Causes of COPD - What are the Causes of COPD Created: Thursday, March 27, 2008 Updated: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Causes of COPD include cigarette smoking, secondhand smoke, air pollution and occupational exposure to irritants with cigarette smoking being the number one cause of COPD.
Effects of Pollution - Information About the Effects of Pollution on COPD Created: Friday, October 28, 2011 Updated: Tuesday, May 15, 2012
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 Symptoms and COPD Diagnosis - About COPD Symptoms and COPD Diagnosis Created: Monday, October 06, 2008 Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012
Symptoms of COPD range from shortness of breath to chest tightness and a diagnosis of COPD starts with a description of symptoms. Learn more about the symptoms and diagnosis of COPD.
History and Physical - Information About COPD History and Physical Created: Monday, September 12, 2011 Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012
A COPD diagnosis starts with a thorough COPD history and physical. Learn more about what to expect from a COPD history and physical.
COPD in the Never Smoker - Facts About COPD in the Never Smoker Created: Monday, November 22, 2010 Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012
The statistics surrounding COPD in the never-smoker are startling. Learn more about COPD and the never-smoker.
Differential Diagnosis of COPD - Understanding Differential Diagnosis of COPD Created: Tuesday, November 16, 2010 Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012
A differential diagnosis of COPD is made by your doctor when he is trying to figure out what is wrong with you. Learn more about how doctors come up with differential diagnoses.
COPD Pathophysiology - Understanding COPD Pathophysiology Created: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012
COPD pathophysiology is not completely understood, but is characterized by degeneration and destruction of the lungs and their supporting tissue. Learn more about COPD pathyphysiology and how your ...
Underdiagnosis of COPD - Why is There Underdiagnosis of COPD Created: Friday, March 28, 2008 Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012
Underdiagnosis of COPD is common, especially with those who are young and in the early stages of the disease.
Stages of COPD - Understanding the Stages of COPD Created: Thursday, April 08, 2010 Updated: Monday, May 14, 2012
The stages of COPD define COPD according to COPD severity. Learn more about understanding the stages of COPD.
COPD Triggers - 23 Things COPD Triggers Created: Friday, December 30, 2011 Updated: Thursday, May 10, 2012
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.
Oxygen Emergency Tips - Guide to Oxygen Emergency Tips Created: Monday, September 27, 2010 Updated: Thursday, May 10, 2012
If you use supplemental oxygen, it's a good idea to be prepared for an unexpected crisis with these oxygen emergency tips.
Phases of Clinical Trials - Guide to the Phases of Clinical Trials Created: Wednesday, January 14, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Clincal trials are conducted in phases. Each phase of the trial has a different purpose and is designed to answer a specific question.
Clinical Trial - Is a Clinical Trial Right For You Created: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 Updated: Wednesday, May 02, 2012
A clinical trial can help doctors detect, diagnose and treat many illnesses like COPD. Find out if a clinical trial is right for you with this handy guide to COPD and clinical trials.
Clinical Trial Questions - COPD Clinical Trial Questions to Ask your Doctor Created: Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, May 02, 2012
If participation in a clinical trial is an option for you, then getting answers to clinical trial questions is notably important. Learn clinical trial questions to ask your doctor.
COPD Diet - Guidelines for COPD Diet Created: Sunday, July 13, 2008 Updated: Wednesday, May 02, 2012
People who have COPD are often malnourished, so following a COPD diet can help provide the energy they need to breathe better and to perform regular activities of dailiy living. Learn more about th...
COPD Diet - Getting Extra Calories for a COPD Diet Created: Thursday, May 21, 2009 Updated: Wednesday, May 02, 2012
A good COPD diet includes enough extra calories to meet the increased caloric requirement that people with COPD need for breathing. Learn what foods choices you should be making to get the extra c...
Breathing Exercises - Breathing Exercises for COPD Created: Thursday, July 31, 2008 Updated: Monday, April 30, 2012
Several types of breathing exercises can help you strengthen your diaphragm, relieve shortness of breath and clear your airways. Breathing exercises include diaphragmatic breathing, pursed-lip brea..
Severe COPD - Treatment of Severe COPD Created: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
Having severe COPD means that you are in Stage III of the disease. Learn the recommended treatment guidelines for Stage III, moderate COPD.
6-Minute Walk Test - Guide to 6-Minute Walk Test Created: Monday, December 07, 2009 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
The 6-minute walk test is generally done at the start of a pulmonary rehabilitation program or to evaluate a patient for a lung transplant. Learn more about the 6-minute walk test.
Pulmonary Function Tests - The Importance of Pulmonary Function Tests Created: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
Pulmonary function tests or PFT's are used to help diagnose COPD and other lung diseases. PFT's include spirometry testing, lung diffusion studies and body plethysmography.
End Stage COPD - What Does the Term End Stage COPD Mean to You Created: Saturday, May 15, 2010 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
End stage COPD is a term that makes many people cringe. What do you think about the term end stage COPD?
COPD Treatment Guidelines - Information About COPD Treatment Guidelines Created: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
COPD treatment guidelines are set forth by the Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease and are optimized for every stage of the disease. Learn more about the treatment guidelines for Stage I..
End Stage COPD - What is End Stage COPD Created: Friday, May 14, 2010 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
End stage COPD is a real term and a real problem. Learn more about what treatment options are available to you in end stage COPD.
BODE Index - Definition of BODE Index Created: Wednesday, January 13, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
The BODE Index is a tool used to help health care professionals predict COPD mortality. Learn what the BODE Index is and how to score yourself.
COPD Life Expectancy - Factors Associated With COPD Life Expectancy Created: Monday, January 11, 2010 Updated: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
COPD life expectancy may be a topic that many patients don't care to talk about. Actually, there are several key factors associated with COPD life expectancy. Learn what they are and how they are c..
Living With COPD - What Not To Do When Living With COPD Created: Wednesday, April 18, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Living with COPD is often difficult, especially when your symptoms worsen. Learn 10 things you should stop doing if you are living with COPD.
Living With COPD - Tips on Living With COPD Created: Monday, October 06, 2008 Updated: Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Living with COPD can be challenging. Coping with COPD takes time, but is an essential part of COPD management.

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