Short of Breath? It Could Be COPD

Photo of deflated balloonsChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition that can make it hard to breathe. COPD can leave you short of breath when you are doing everyday activities, such as climbing a flight of stairs, taking a long walk, or even carrying a bag of groceries.

Smokers have the greatest risk of developing COPD. In fact, 80 to 90 percent of COPD cases are caused by smoking. People exposed to air pollution, chemical fumes, vapors, and dust for long stretches of time are also at risk.

Signs of COPD
COPD develops slowly. It can take many years before you notice symptoms. Signs to watch for include:

  • Shortness of breath, especially during exercise
  • Coughing up mucus
  • Wheezing
  • A cough that doesn’t go away
  • Tightness in the chest
If you have any of these symptoms, it does not mean you have COPD. But it does mean that you should talk with your physician about a test called spirometry. With spirometry, you breathe into a device that measures airflow volume. If your output is less than 70 percent of what is expected for your age, height, sex, weight, and race, you may have COPD.

What to Do
There is no cure for COPD, and it is a chronic condition. But you can keep your symptoms under control. Your physician can help suggest treatments based on your condition. Common treatments include:

  • Medications to help you breathe easier
  • Annual flu shots and a pneumonia vaccine every five years
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation
  • Oxygen treatment or surgery
If you notice the signs of COPD, talk with your physician. It is important to get diagnosed early. This can help you get on track to breathing easier.

Get Free Help from QuitNet
For smokers, the first step to treating COPD is kicking the habit. You can get free help from New Jersey QuitNet. It is easy to enroll and free of charge. Visit the program Web site at www.nj.quitnet.com or call the New Jersey QuitLine toll-free at 1-866-NJSTOPS (1-866-657-8677). TDD users can call 1-866-257-2971.