COPD is a progressive lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It is most common in people over the age of 60 but can appear much earlier if you smoke, have smoked or have had a lot of serious lung infections¹.
There are many different symptoms but the most common are a long lasting cough or shortness of breath. Sometimes, these symptoms are seen as a normal part of aging, especially in people who smoke, but if you suspect that you, or someone you know, may have COPD, then talk to your doctor¹. It is important to start managing your symptoms as soon as possible so that you can minimize the impact COPD has on your breathing².
The following pages are here to help you understand more about COPD and how you can minimize the impact it has on your life.