Frequently asked questions

The airways narrow or the air sacs are damaged. Breathing out becomes harder and your exercise capacity decreases. Treatment can reduce symptoms and flare-ups.

It is mostly seen in people over the age of 40 who smoke or have smoked in the past. However, it can also occur in non-smokers.

No.

In asthma, the narrowing mostly reverses with medication, and it usually starts at a young age. In COPD, however, the narrowing is permanent. The two can also occur together.

Damage that has already occurred is not reversible. But the disease can be treated, its progression can be slowed and quality of life can be improved.

A small amount of alcohol does not directly make COPD worse. However, together with sleeping pills it can suppress breathing, and it can interact with medicines. Consult your doctor.

They usually develop slowly over the years. During a flare-up, however, they can get worse within a few days.

There may be shortness of breath even at rest and a constant need for oxygen. Frequent hospital admissions, weight loss and swelling in the feet may also occur. Details: End-stage COPD.

Yes.

Some changes may be visible, but a normal X-ray does not rule out COPD. A breathing test is needed for the diagnosis.

Thick, yellow-green phlegm may be a sign of an infection or a flare-up. If there is blood in your phlegm, be sure to see a doctor.

Based on the breathing test, they are the mild, moderate, severe and very severe stages. In reports, they are written as GOLD 1, 2, 3 and 4.

It is the most severe stage according to the breathing test. Airflow is very limited. Symptoms are assessed and treatment is planned individually.

Needing to stop when walking on level ground, frequent flare-ups and difficulty with daily activities.

With medication, the stage usually does not change. In patients whose breathing test values improve after balloon treatment, the stage may improve. This varies from person to person.

The decision on oxygen is based not on the stage but on the oxygen level in the blood. This level is usually measured with a blood sample taken from the wrist (blood gas test). Details: Oxygen therapy.

It varies greatly from person to person. The stage alone does not determine it. Weight, walking ability, how often flare-ups occur and other health conditions also matter. Your doctor assesses your situation together with you.

There may be shortness of breath at rest, a need for oxygen and frequent flare-ups. Treatment can ease the symptoms.

Whether the disease can be stopped varies from person to person. Stopping smoking and preventing flare-ups slow its progression.

Yes, in selected patients. Your general condition and the anaesthesia risk are decisive. Suitability is determined by a consultation and tests.

In some patients, the need for oxygen may decrease with treatment. Your doctor decides whether to reduce oxygen based on measurements.

There is no treatment that reverses damage that has already occurred. But there are effective treatments that keep symptoms, flare-ups and progression under control.

The disease is permanent. With good treatment, most patients can lead an active life for years.

New medicines have been added in recent years. Treatments performed with a tube that has a camera at its tip (bronchoscope) have also advanced. However, claims of a “definitive cure” are not true. Details: New treatments.

The main medicines are long-acting bronchodilator inhalers, which widen the airways. In some patients, a steroid inhaler is added.

The first step is to check whether the inhaler is being used correctly and regularly. The exercise programme, flare-ups and any coexisting conditions are reviewed. Then the type of disease is assessed. Options such as balloon treatment or a lung valve are considered.

Getting rid of the disease is not possible, but living well with it is.

New medicines have been approved in recent years. These include biologic medicines given by injection (dupilumab, mepolizumab) and ensifentrine. They are not suitable for every patient. Your doctor will assess this.

There is no treatment that eliminates the disease. However, there are new options that reduce flare-ups and symptoms.

Not at present. Stem cell treatments are still at the experimental stage in COPD and are not recommended as routine treatment.

No, it is a method that has been used for years. You can find publications about the method on the Scientific publications page.

This is determined by assessing your blood test results, how often you have flare-ups, the type of disease you have and your chest CT scan.

First of all, treatments that open the narrowed bronchi are needed. The first step is regular treatment with medicines (inhalers). If shortness of breath persists despite medication, balloon bronchoplasty is considered in suitable patients. Depending on the state of the emphysema, valve treatment is also considered. When you are short of breath, three things bring immediate relief. These are pursed-lip breathing, sitting leaning forward and the reliever inhaler.

It may not go away completely, but with the right treatment it can be markedly reduced. In selected patients whose symptoms persist despite medication, other options may also be considered. Balloon treatment or a lung valve are examples of these.

Blowing up balloons can exercise the breathing muscles. But it has nothing to do with “COPD balloon treatment”. Balloon treatment is a procedure carried out in hospital. It is done through the mouth, using a tube with a camera at its tip (bronchoscope).

They should stay calm, sit down, do pursed-lip breathing and use their medicine. If there is no improvement, they should go to the emergency department.

They should protect themselves from cigarette smoke, polluted air and infections. They should use their medicines regularly, exercise and have their vaccinations. It is also important to prepare a flare-up plan with their doctor.

If you need oxygen, it should be used for at least 15 hours a day. It is best to use it continuously, including during sleep.

Your doctor sets the flow rate according to your blood oxygen measurements. It may be different for rest, exercise and sleep.

In some patients, the need for oxygen may decrease with treatment. The decision is based on measurements.

It is possible with a portable device approved by the airline and by informing the airline in advance.

This depends on your health insurance and on the terms of your policy. Your insurance company may ask for a medical report and a prescription. Your doctor issues the report.

No. Only people whose blood oxygen level is below a certain threshold use it.

It usually lasts 7–14 days. Full recovery may take a few weeks.

Most patients do. In some patients, however, there is a permanent decline in lung function. This is why preventing flare-ups is very important.

They may be needed if your phlegm has turned yellow-green and increased in amount, or if the flare-up is severe. Your doctor makes the decision.

Having two or more flare-ups a year is considered high risk. Having to stay in hospital because of a flare-up also means high risk. In this case, treatment is revised.

Damage that has already occurred is not reversed. But progression slows down, symptoms decrease and life is prolonged.

In the first few weeks, phlegm may increase as the airways clear themselves. This increase usually eases within 1–3 months.

Yes. Stopping smoking has benefits at every age and at every stage.

It is not recommended in COPD. Approved medicines and counselling should be preferred.

For a lung valve, you must stop smoking first. For balloon treatment, smoking alone is not a barrier. But stopping is part of the treatment. Continuing to smoke may reduce the benefit.

They should avoid heavy, gas-forming meals and too much salt. They should also stay away from cigarettes and too much alcohol.

Stopping smoking, using medicines regularly, exercise and pulmonary rehabilitation, and vaccines.

It can work the muscles you use to breathe out. However, controlled breathing exercises and breathing muscle training are more effective.

No. Walking with a controlled degree of breathlessness increases your strength. Make a plan with your doctor.

Yes, if you have COPD and are underweight. Try to put on weight with protein-rich snacks.

No. There is no herbal product that has been shown to cure COPD. Some supplements may make only a limited contribution.

It does not work as a treatment. It may carry a risk of allergy and drug interactions.

It can be part of your diet, but it is not a treatment.

If your doctor has not advised you to limit fluids, drinking plenty of fluids helps. Controlled coughing and a humid environment also help. If needed, your doctor will prescribe a phlegm-loosening medicine.

No. Stopping your medicines can lead to a flare-up and a permanent loss of lung function.

Yes. Treatment with medicines reduces symptoms and flare-ups. In suitable patients, balloon bronchoplasty can also be performed. In chronic bronchitis, the phlegm-producing cells (goblet cells) in the bronchi increase in number. Balloon treatment clears the thickened surface where these cells have multiplied. The more these cells return towards normal levels, the longer the results last.

Chronic bronchitis can become fatal if it has led to severe respiratory failure.

Stopping smoking, the right inhaler and clearing phlegm. If the cough lasts longer than 8 weeks, you need a breathing test and a consultation with a pulmonologist.

Airflow obstruction, frequent flare-ups and respiratory failure may develop. Early treatment slows its progression.

No herbal treatment has been shown to work. Details: Herbal treatments: the facts.

Patients with advanced COPD in which cough and phlegm predominate and whose symptoms persist despite medicines. The decision is based on a chest CT scan and a breathing test.

Damaged tissue does not recover. However, symptoms can be brought under control. In selected patients, lung volume reduction methods may reduce shortness of breath.

Yes. A chest CT scan is the method that best shows emphysema and its spread in the lungs.

In emphysema, large air bubbles (bullae) may form. If these burst, air may leak between the membranes around the lung (pneumothorax). This is also the most important risk of valve treatment.

Balloon treatment is not aimed at emphysema itself. It is considered separately if cough and phlegm also predominate.

A deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin (a protein that protects the lungs) should be looked for. This is an inherited condition and is detected with a blood test.