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What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Date: 10/30/23

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is used to describe chronic lung diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Breathlessness, tiredness and chronic coughs are the most common symptoms.

Let’s break down what COPD really is:

  • Chronic. COPD is a disease that is present for a long time.
  • Obstructive. The ability to move air in and out of your lungs is blocked or obstructed.
  • Pulmonary. This disease affects your lungs.
  • Disease. Your lungs have been damaged in some way due to illness or disease.

COPD is not curable but can be treated. There are several types of COPD, and which type you have will determine what treatment options are best for you. Medication, pulmonary rehabilitation and surgery are all possible treatment options for someone with COPD.

Superior HealthPlan members have access to our COPD Care Management program. The program can help manage any ongoing condition by connecting members with a care manager or health coach. Learn more about this program by visiting Superior's Health Management webpage.

Find out if you are at risk of developing COPD by taking the COPD Foundation’s short screening quiz.

For more information about COPD and treatment options, visit the resources below: