November marks COPD Awareness Month, a time to highlight Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a serious lung condition that affects millions of people. Many individuals with COPD are undiagnosed, often mistaking early symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath for normal ageing.
Early detection and proper treatment can greatly improve quality of life. Lifestyle changes, medications, pulmonary rehabilitation and quitting smoking are keys steps in managing the disease.
What are the causes?
COPD occurs when the lungs and airways become damaged and inflamed. It’s usually linked to long-term exposure to harmful substances, such as cigarette smoke.
There are a number of things that can increase your risk of developing COPD, including:
- Smoking
- Fumes and dust at work
- Air pollution
- Genetics
What are the symptoms?
- Shortness of breath
- A persistent cough with phlegm that doesn’t go away
- Frequent chest infections
- Persistent wheezing
See your GP if you have persistent symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Treatment
There’s currently no cure for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but treatment can help slow the progression of the condition and control the symptoms.
Treatment may include:
- Stopping smoking
- Inhalers & tablets to make breathing easier
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Surgery or a lung transplant
Your doctor will discuss the various treatment options with you.
Resources
NHS Website
For further details about COPD, please visit the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/
Page created: 17th November 2025
Page updated: 17th November 2025