10 Myths About COPD You Shouldn’t Believe

Although cigarette smoking is a major cause of COPD, not everybody who has COPD was, or is, a smoker. Fact is, 80% to 85% of all people with COPD were or are smokers, says Thomas Yadegar, M.D., pulmonologist and medical director of the ICU at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center in Los Angeles. That still leaves a significant amount of people with COPD from other causes, including environmental pollutants and toxins, as well as exposure to chemicals and solvents, especially at a workplace. Even heredity might play a role.

If you smoked or still smoke, your risk of developing COPD is much higher compared to people who’ve never smoked, says Dr. Yadegar. However, not everyone who’s a smoker will get COPD—about 38% of smokers may be affected with the condition, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But don’t let those odds fool you. COPD develops over time, so the sooner you quit, the better your chances will be to stay healthy. “This isn’t a situation where you simply hope it doesn’t happen to you,” Dr. Yadegar says. “It’s best to play it safe.”

Although it would be nice if your lungs regenerated post-smoking, unfortunately that’s not the case. Delicate lung tissue that has been destroyed by the chemicals in cigarettes will stay that way. Still, Dr. Yadegar says the longer you abstain from smoking, the lower your chances of developing COPD will be, even though your risk never returns to the level it would have been if you had never smoked in the first place. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of screenings if you’re a former or a current smoker.

Lung damage itself cannot be reversed, but you can take steps to help you breathe better. Exercising is one of them, says Margarita Oks, M.D., pulmonologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City. That’s because it helps you strengthen the muscles that support the lungs (e.g., diaphragm, abdominals, etc.) and helps get more oxygen into your respiratory system. Another step is pulmonary rehab, where you’re taught how to breathe effectively, in a way that reduces infection risk. That’s crucial, says Dr. Oks, since infections can cause COPD exacerbations that may come with serious complications.

When oxygen is recommended, some people think it’s the beginning of the end, but that’s not true, says Dr. Oks. Using supplemental oxygen is often part of a comprehensive treatment plan that’s designed to help you reduce inflammation in your lungs and get the oxygen you need. It can be introduced at any time. Not everyone with COPD will need supplemental oxygen, but if you do, it’s to ensure that your heart, brain, other organs, and muscles are getting what’s necessary to function.

Although making sure you get adequate rest and sleep is important, the best treatment is actually movement. When you have COPD, being sedentary can cause you to take in less oxygen and may increase inflammation in the lungs. “People tend to curtail their activities because they’re worried about getting short of breath, but that can make the condition worse,” Dr. Yadegar says. This is another situation where respiratory rehab is beneficial because you can learn ways to get more movement into every day.

Because it can feel overwhelming and intense, COPD might feel like it’s a death sentence when you’re diagnosed, but the fact is that it’s not unusual for a person to live for many years—sometimes 20 or more—after being told they have COPD. How long you live often depends on how well you manage the condition, Dr. Oks says. With the right medications, exercise, respiratory rehab, nutrition changes, adequate sleep, and other healthy habits, you can get COPD under control and still enjoy great quality of life for many years to come.

If you’re coughing more than usual or producing excess phlegm above your normal amount, Dr. Yadegar says it may be an indication that your COPD is exacerbated and it’s time to check in with your doctor. However, keep in mind that coughing and phlegm are a normal part of COPD, and they’re necessary for keeping your lungs clear by expelling pollutants and dust. Be aware of your daily routine—such as being more congested in the morning—and knowing the color of your mucous so you can catch any flares or infections in their early stages.

This is a myth that Dr. Oks hears all the time, and she says it can be a dangerous one, since it may cause you to avoid medication that can help you breathe. A bronchodilator is a type of medication delivered through an inhaler that keeps your airways open, and because it’s used regularly, some people think that means they can get addicted. Says Dr. Oks: “You won’t become dependent in the way you would on an addictive substance. They are used to improve your lung function, and it’s important to use them as directed.”

Although carrying excess weight can make COPD challenging, that doesn’t mean you need to try and drop as much weight as possible if you’re diagnosed, Dr. Oks says. The problem with that perspective is that it might lead to cutting back too far on calories and meals, which means you’d be missing essential vitamins and nutrients important for keeping your immune system strong. Plus, people with COPD tend to burn more calories as a result of the lungs working harder, which makes it more important to get your body what it needs, rather than worrying about getting thin.