Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Overview

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to a group of lung diseases that cause damage to your lungs and make it increasingly difficult for you to breathe. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the most common conditions that make up COPD.

Most COPD is caused by long-term smoking and can be prevented by not smoking or quitting soon after you start. Damage to your lungs can't be reversed, so treatment focuses on controlling symptoms and minimizing further damage.

Why choose Mayo Clinic?

• Experience. Mayo Clinic treats hundreds of people each year for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Special expertise. Mayo Clinic has special expertise in treatment of alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic form of emphysema that is often unrecognized.
• Team approach. Mayo Clinic specialists work together so that you receive all the expertise needed to identify your problem and find an effective solution.
• Comprehensive options. Virtually every test and therapy for diagnosis and treatment of COPD is available at Mayo Clinic, including lung volume reduction surgery and lung transplant. Mayo's laboratory for testing lung function is one of the largest of its kind, and Mayo pulmonary specialists are experienced in clinical trials of new medications for treatment of COPD.

Read more about COPD and emphysema at MayoClinic.com.