If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with COPD, or if you think you may have it, you probably want to know what it is and what you can expect.

COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It's a term for a condition in which the airflow into and out of the lungs is reduced due to chronic bronchitis or emphysema, or a combination of both. It may be comforting to know that you are not alone: an estimated 20 million people know how you feel.

Although there is no cure for COPD, the good news is that it is treatable.

Learning more about COPD may be the first step toward managing it. In this section you'll find:

Causes and symptoms
Understand what causes COPD and what symptoms you may experience if you're diagnosed with it.

COPD questionnaire
Assess your symptoms by answering some simple questions.

COPD Q&A
Find answers to many of the questions you may have about COPD.