Living with COPD Make an Appointment Ask a Question Search Conditions Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) describes a group of diseases where airflow in the lungs is limited. COPD is a progressive lung disease and affects millions of people each year. The most familiar diseases in this group are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. A person with COPD may have emphysema or chronic bronchitis; many have both. COPD is diagnosed through a medical and physical exam as well as breathing, oxygen, blood, exercise and other tests. People with COPD must become active managers of their disease. COPD management includes learning more about COPD, having a healthy lifestyle including diet and exercise, giving up smoking, avoiding infections, taking medications, using oxygen, learning new techniques for breathing and coughing, and following a health action plan. Featured Stories How to Cough Up Mucus & Phlegm from Chest Congestion COPD: Nutrition Proper Hydration On The Go with Oxygen If your oxygen level is 88 percent or below, oxygen therapy is often recommended to ensure your blood has enough for your body’s needs. View On The Go with Oxygen Infographic Benefits of Oxygen Therapy Concerns about Wearing Oxygen Altitude Sickness and Oxygen Therapy COPD Program As the region's only full-service program, our goal is to help patients manage their disease effectively and to live full and active lives. Learn more. Learn more about COPD View all Specialties & Conditions More Living with COPD Tips How Wildfire Toxins Affect Your Lungs Shortness of Breath and Eating Reasons to Quit Proper Hydration Proper Hydration On The Go with Oxygen Intimacy Breaking Down Vaping Devices Ordering Oxygen Live Better with COPD Healthy Recipes Living with Chronic Lung Disease Depression Common Feelings Anxiety Airway Clearance Techniques & Devices COPD: Exercises COPD: Lifestyle Management Breathing Exercises & Techniques Avoiding Infections Spirometry Testing Tobacco Cessation Medications Medicine Safety Managing Your Medication Supply On The Go with Oxygen COPD Medications Devices for Inhaled Medications (Asthma Inhalers, COPD Inhalers) Stress & Relaxation Quitting Tobacco What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD? Using a Spacer With an Inhaler Using an Aerochamber® Living with Pulmonary Hypertension (PH) Living with COPD 10 Tips for Living Better with COPD Sleep Emotional Management Healthy Eating 10 Benefits of Staying Hydrated Tips to Improve Health by Increasing Happiness 10 Tips for Managing COPD What's the Connection? Your Heart Can Affect Your Breathing Cigarette Chemicals Busting Myths about Oxygen Therapy Better Health Starts After the Last Cigarette How Your Health Improves After the Last Cigarette Summer Ozone Dangers Lung Disease Can Affect Your Mood & Daily Living COPD: Nutrition Managing Your Environment COPD: Giving Up Smoking Emotional Management How to Cough Up Mucus & Phlegm from Chest Congestion COPD: Life Skills Tutorial COPD: FAQ COPD: Additional Resources Asthma: Steroids & Nutrition How to Use an Aerolizer® How to Use a Diskus® Using A Respimat® How to Use a Flexhaler® How to Use an Autohaler® How to Use a Neohaler® Using the Ellipta Inhaler Device How to Use a Twisthaler® How to Use a HandiHaler® How to Use a Nebulizer Accepting Help Addressing Concerns About Using Oxygen COPD as a Family Examining What Is Important to You Experiencing and Managing Feelings of Loss Understanding Your COPD Medications You may also be interested in... COPD Support Group Smoking & Tobacco Use Living with Chronic Lung Disease Understanding Your Lung Disease & Testing Class On the Go With Oxygen Class Nutrition & the Person With Lung Disease Class Managing Your Lung Disease Class Intimacy & the Person with Lung Disease Class Living with Chronic Disease Class