Since chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of chronic lung diseases that make it more difficult to breathe, people with COPD often have at least one lung disease, such as emphysema.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for a group of chronic lung diseases that make it harder to breathe air out of the lungs.

These diseases include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and sometimes asthma. People with a COPD diagnosis typically have emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or both.

Everyone with emphysema is said to have COPD. However, it’s possible to have COPD and not have emphysema. A person can receive a COPD diagnosis while only having chronic bronchitis, for instance.

Emphysema is usually the direct result of years of smoking cigarettes. Its symptoms tend to affect people who are middle-aged or older. Chronic bronchitis, which can occur earlier or later in life, can also be caused by tobacco smoking.

Not everyone who develops COPD has a history of smoking cigarettes. Being exposed to secondhand smoke over time can hurt your health as well. Smoking cannabis may also cause COPD.

People who inhale fumes from fuels burned for cooking or have extended exposure to pollutants, such as workplace or environmental hazards, can also develop COPD. It’s also believed that genes may affect who develops COPD and how severe it is.

One known genetic cause of COPD is alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency.

Damage to the lungs caused by emphysema isn’t reversible. However, emphysema and other forms of COPD are treatable conditions.

In addition to bronchodilators and inhaled steroids, people with these conditions may be prescribed antibiotics to control infections. Other treatments include supplemental oxygen therapy.

In rare cases, lung volume reduction surgery or even a lung transplant may be required.

Lifestyle modifications can make life easier if you have one of these conditions. For example, changing how you do housework, cooking, and other chores may lessen your symptoms.

Keeping windows closed on polluted days and using air-conditioning in high humidity weather can also help.

Quit smoking cigarettes

Anyone who has COPD or wants to prevent it needs to give up smoking immediately. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that smoking causes up to 80% of all COPD-related deaths.

Quitting smoking is often the first line of treatment for people with emphysema or other forms of COPD. Prescription oral medications, patches, and gum can all be used to help decrease nicotine cravings.

The American Lung Association recommends that people who are trying to quit smoking use an FDA-approved medication.

Besides quitting smoking, eating well and managing stress also helps with managing emphysema and other forms of COPD.

People with significant COPD are often underweight and need vitaminsA, C, and E. Fruits and vegetables should always be part of a balanced diet.

Stress can also aggravate COPD. Tai chi and yoga are both ways to reduce stress and have shown promise in helping people manage emphysema.

It’s also important to manage other chronic diseases that can impact your COPD and emphysema risk, including:

You can have emphysema if you’ve been diagnosed with COPD.

There are key differences that can usually be prevented by managing lifestyle habits. However, it remains a leading cause of death in the United States.

In addition to quitting and avoiding smoking, you can protect your lungs by avoiding pollutants. Your healthcare team can help guide you on preventing COPD and emphysema, as well as advise you on treatment and management if you already have the condition.