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COPD Medical Abbreviation

Author: Analgesia logo

Last Updated on March 28, 2025 by Analgesia team

What are The 3 Main Causes of COPD

COPD is the medical abbreviation for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

COPD is a common lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. It’s caused by airway inflammation and scarring, or damage to the air sacs in the lungs. The two main forms of COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema:
  • Chronic bronchitis: A long-term cough with mucus
  • Emphysema: Damage to the lungs over time

The Main Causes of COPD

The main causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are tobacco smoking, air pollution, and genetic abnormalities

Tobacco smoking
  • The most common cause of COPD
  • Three out of four people with COPD smoke or used to smoke
  • People with a family history of COPD are more likely to develop it if they smoke 
Air pollution
  • Exposure to high levels of indoor air pollutants from burning wood and other biomass materials 
  • Long-term exposure to particulate matter PM 2.5 and nitrogen dioxides 
Genetic abnormalities
  • Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency is a rare genetic condition that can cause COPD at a young age
  • People with alpha-1 have a much lower-than-normal level of the blood protein called alpha-1-antitrypsin 

 

COPD Medical Abbreviation

 

Treatment

There is no cure for COPD, but treatments can help slow its progression and keep it under control. Treatments include medicines, oxygen, pulmonary rehabilitation, and avoiding smoking and exposure to air pollution.

COPD Pain Management

Pain management for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) can include over-the-counter and prescription medications, heat therapy, massage, and lifestyle changes.

Medications
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Such as ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin, these can help with mild pain
  • OpioidsSuch as morphine or codeine, these can help with severe pain, but should be used with caution
  • Mucolytic medicinesSuch as carbocisteine or acetylcysteine, these can help with a chesty cough and thick phlegm
  • Steroid tabletsThese can help with flare-ups, but long-term use can cause side effects 
Heat therapy
  • Heating padsThese can help with muscle and joint stiffness
Massage
  • This can help with pain, muscle relaxation, and stress reduction
Lifestyle changes
  • Diet

    Eating smaller meals more often, and choosing unprocessed foods like fish, lean meat, grains, fruits, and vegetables can help with pain 

  • Exercise

    Cardio, stretching, and strengthening activities can help with breathing and muscle maintenance 

  • Palliative care
    This can provide support for physical, emotional, spiritual, social, and respite care need

Complications

COPD can lead to life-threatening problems. It’s important to plan for end of life care, such as palliative care, in advance.

COPD is sometimes called emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is a form of COPD that damages the walls between the air sacs in the lungs, making it harder to move air out of the body. Chronic bronchitis is another form of COPD that involves a long-term cough with mucus

The leading cause of COPD in the United States is long-term cigarette smoking, but other factors may also be involved. These include:
  • Cigar smoke
  • Secondhand smoke
  • Pipe smoke
  • Air pollution
  • Workplace exposure to dust, smoke, or fumes

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