Main symptoms
- •Chronic cough with sputum
- •Progressive dyspnoea on exertion then at rest
- •Wheezing
- •Recurrent respiratory infections
- •Chest tightness
- •Fatigue, weight loss (advanced stages)
- •Lower-limb oedema (cor pulmonale)
Risk factors
- ⚠️ Active smoking (80-90%)
- ⚠️ Passive smoking
- ⚠️ Air pollution
- ⚠️ Indoor pollution (biomass, braziers)
- ⚠️ Occupational exposure (silica, cotton)
- ⚠️ Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (rare)
- ⚠️ Severe respiratory infections in childhood
Management and treatments
**Absolute smoking cessation** — the only measure that alters progression. **Inhaled bronchodilators**: short-acting (salbutamol) for attacks, long-acting (tiotropium LAMA, formoterol LABA). **Inhaled corticosteroids** for exacerbations. **Pulmonary rehabilitation**. **Home oxygen therapy** if respiratory failure. **Annual flu + pneumococcal vaccinations**. **ALD 100%** recognised.
Prevention
Absolute smoking cessation, avoid passive smoking, masks for occupational exposure, ventilate well when cooking with biomass. Flu + pneumococcal vaccinations. Physical activity. See a pulmonologist if chronic cough > 3 months.
Frequently asked questions
How is COPD diagnosed?+
Spirometry (PFT): FEV1/FVC < 70% after bronchodilator. At a pulmonologist, 300-600 MAD, reimbursed 80%.
Is COPD reversible?+
No — damage is irreversible. Smoking cessation stabilises it. Treatments relieve but do not regenerate.
Asthma vs COPD?+
Asthma: variable, reversible obstruction, young, atopy. COPD: fixed obstruction, over 40, smoking-related.
Flying with COPD?+
Usually fine. Severe respiratory failure: pre-flight assessment, sometimes plan O2 with the airline.