COPD typically develops as a result of long term damage to the lungs from inhaling harmful substances most commonly cigarette smoke, but also smoke from other sources and air pollution. Occupational exposure to dust, fumes, and chemicals can also increase the risk.

You’re more likely to develop COPD if you’re over 35 and have a history of smoking or childhood chest problems. Some individuals are more sensitive to noxious materials than others, and the condition can run in families meaning if your parents had chest problems, your own risk may be higher.

Common symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease include:

• Shortness of breath during everyday activities such as walking or doing housework
• A persistent, long-lasting cough
• Wheezing, particularly in cold weather
• Producing more sputum or phlegm than usual
• You might get these symptoms all the time, or they might appear or get worse when you have an infection or breathe in smoke or fumes
• In more severe cases, COPD can affect your appetite, lead to weight loss, and cause swelling in the ankles

To confirm a diagnosis of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), our Respiratory Consultants may carry out a range of investigations, such as:

• Lung function tests to assess breathing capacity
• Spirometry tests to measure airflow and lung performance
• Exhaled nitric oxide testing (also known as FeNO) to detect airway inflammation
• CT scans to provide detailed images of the lungs
• Blood tests to check for underlying factors and overall health

All of these tests can be completed at Benenden Hospital.

COPD is classified into stages based on the severity of airflow limitation, measured by a spirometry test:

• Stage one - mild: FEV1 is 80 or above
• Stage two - moderate: FEV1 is between 50 and 79
• Stage three - severe: FEV1 is between 30 and 49
• Stage four – very severe: FEV1 is less than 30

FEV1 refers to “forced expiratory volume in one second,” a key measurement taken during spirometry to assess how much air you can exhale forcefully in a single second.

Although COPD cannot be cured, a range of treatments can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life:

• Annual flu vaccination and a one-off pneumonia jab to reduce the risk of infections
• Support to stop smoking, including tailored treatment programmes
• An exercise programme called pulmonary rehabilitation if your breathlessness limits daily activities
• A personalised self-management plan to monitor and control your condition
• Identifying and managing your other health problems, as many people with COPD also live with additional long-term conditions

Looking after yourself is essential when living with COPD. While there are many resources available such as the Asthma + Lung UK website, here are a few practical steps you can take:

Prioritise sleep and rest

Aim for good-quality sleep and regular rest to maintain your energy levels. For tips on improving sleep, visit the NHS website. If difficulties persist, speak to your healthcare professional.

Seek support when needed

Your healthcare team can advise on ways to adapt your home to make daily life easier. Occupational therapists and local councils may also provide practical support.

Monitor your symptoms

Report any changes, such as swollen ankles, to your healthcare professional. Medication can help but swelling or a rapid heartbeat may also signal a heart condition, which requires attention.

With COPD, your airways have become narrowed permanently – inhaled medication can help to open them up to some extent. With asthma, the narrowing of your airways comes and goes, often when you’re exposed to a trigger – something that irritates your airways – such as dust, pollen or tobacco smoke. Inhaled medication can open your airways fully, prevent and relieve symptoms by relaxing your airways.

So, if your breathlessness and other symptoms are much better on some days than others, or if you often wake up in the night feeling wheezy, it may be that you have asthma.

As the symptoms are similar and because people who have asthma as children can develop COPD in later life, it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the two conditions. Some people have both COPD and asthma.