Asthma and Respiratory Care
COPD
We use a team approach to address all health conditions that may affect COPD. Our programs provide support for all aspects of your life and well-being.
Medically reviewed by Brooks Kuhn, M.D. on April 16, 2024.
What Is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
The compassionate experts in our Comprehensive COPD Clinic offer the most advanced care. Our researchers are pioneering new procedures, and we offer a convenient remote monitoring program. Through our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, we provide classes, exercise programs, support and nutritional guidance.
On this page
Types of COPD
COPD includes a group of diseases that lead to lung damage and make it hard to breathe. There are two main types of COPD. Many people with COPD have both of these conditions.
Chronic Bronchitis
This condition irritates your airways and causes excess mucus and coughing.
Emphysema
Damage to your lung tissues reduces the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream and causes shortness of breath.
COPD Symptoms
Symptoms of COPD are usually mild at first, but worsen over time.
Common Symptoms
You may experience:
- Cough that doesn’t go away
- Difficulty taking deep breaths
- Fatigue
- Respiratory infections
- Shortness of breath during mild activity
- Tightness in your chest
Emergency Symptoms
Call 911 or get medical care right away if you experience:
- Blue or gray lips or fingernails
- Confusion
- Difficulty catching your breath
- Rapid pulse
COPD Causes
The leading causes of COPD are:
Airborne Irritants
Exposure to chemical fumes, dust, fumes from burning wood or coal, pollution or smoke can lead to COPD.
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
This is a rare genetic condition that leads to emphysema and can cause COPD.
Tobacco Smoke
Smoking is the most common cause of COPD. Exposure to secondhand smoke can also lead to COPD.
COPD Risk Factors
Certain factors may increase your risk of developing COPD. These include:
Age
People who are 40 or older are more likely to develop COPD.
Asthma
Having asthma raises your risk of COPD.
Infections
Certain infections, such as HIV and tuberculosis, raise your risk of developing COPD.
Severe Childhood Respiratory Infections
Having a history of repeated severe respiratory infections in childhood raises your risk.
Underdeveloped Lungs
Having a health condition that affects lung development during fetal development or childhood raises your risk of COPD.
COPD Diagnosis and Testing
Our first priority is to get an accurate diagnosis because many other conditions have symptoms similar to COPD. To diagnose COPD, we will ask about your symptoms, health and smoking history.
You may need tests, such as:
- Pulmonary function testing: These tests usually involve blowing into a tube and show how well air moves in and out of your lungs.
- Chest X-ray and CT scan: These imaging tests look for lung damage.
- Alpha-1 antitrypsin test: A test for a genetic cause of COPD.
- Arterial blood gas (ABG): These tests check your oxygen and carbon dioxide levels.
- Screening for other conditions: We may need to do tests to check for other diseases that may contribute to COPD, such as asthma, heart failure, interstitial lung disease and sleep apnea.
COPD Treatments at UC Davis Health
Our Comprehensive COPD Clinic uses a team approach to treat all types of airway diseases and any conditions contributing to COPD. You may need a combination of treatments, including:
Allergy Medications
If allergies affect your breathing, you may need to take an antihistamine.
Antibiotics
You may need to take long-term antibiotics to control or prevent respiratory infections.
Bronchodilator Medications
You inhale these medications, which help relax and open your airways.
Control Medications
You take these medications every day to prevent flare-ups. They help by reducing swelling in your airways.
Endobronchial Valve
A surgically placed valve allows your lungs to inflate properly and makes breathing easier for some people with emphysema.
Oxygen Therapy
You may need oxygen from a tank to keep your blood oxygen at a healthy level.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
In our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, we teach you ways to breathe better, get stronger and improve your quality of life.
Quick-Relief Medications
These medications work quickly to open your airways and relieve flare-ups.
Steroids
Steroid medications help reduce inflammation in your airways. They can be taken orally or inhaled.
Ventilator Therapy
A ventilator, sometimes also called mechanical ventilation, is a machine that helps you breathe.
COPD Prevention
You may be able to prevent COPD by:
Avoiding Air Pollution
When possible, try to avoid inhaling dust, chemical fumes and smoke.
Quitting Smoking
Smoking causes most cases of COPD. Learn about our support programs for quitting smoking.
“Am I at Risk for COPD,” The American Lung Association, https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/symptoms-diagnosis/early-warning-signs
Conditions
Who does it affect?
11.7MPeople were diagnosed with COPD in the U.S. in 2022
COPD is the
3rdLeading cause of death worldwide
Sources: American Lung Association: COPD Trends Brief: Prevalence
World Health Organization: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
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Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals
U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in neonatology, nephrology, orthopedics*, pediatric & adolescent behavioral health, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital
Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in back surgery, COPD, colon cancer surgery, gynecological cancer surgery, heart attack, heart failure, hip fracture, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, and gastroenterology & GI surgery.
The nation’s highest nursing honor
UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.
World-class cancer care
One of ~56 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.
A leader in health care equality
For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.
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