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Everyday Health
7 Myths About COPD, Debunked
By By Don Rauf. Medically Reviewed by David Mannino, MD,
2024-07-22
Regular exercise can make a difference in people living with COPD, reducing fatigue and improving fitness and lung function. Angel Gruber/Getty Images
Several misconceptions surround COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), an umbrella term for inflammatory lung conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis . To set the record straight on this condition, characterized by obstructed airflow from the lungs, here are seven common myths about COPD you should know.
1. Myth: Only People Who Smoke Get COPD
"Although cigarette smoking is the main cause of COPD, not everyone who smokes will develop COPD symptoms, and not all people with COPD have a history of smoking," says J onnie Korinko , a registered respiratory therapist and an education team member with the COPD Foundation .
A report published in 2019 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that about 2.4 million adults who never smoked had the condition and about 1 in 4 people with COPD were nonsmokers. Other factors that may lead to COPD include a history of childhood respiratory infections, smoke exposure from coal or wood burning stoves, secondhand smoke, a history of asthma, and underdeveloped lungs, according to the American Lung Association. Recent research has shown that air pollution may be a significant contributor to COPD risk as well. Particulate matter - a complex mixture of solid and liquid particles suspended in the atmosphere - are the main pollutants globally and are associated with an increased risk of hospitalization in people with COPD.
Sanjay Sethi, MD , chief of the division of pulmonary, critical care and sleep medicine at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University of Buffalo in New York, says that old age ups the odds of getting COPD - a factor that former smokers especially need to be aware of.
"For some former smokers, your lung function may not bounce back to normal - the lung damage is already done, and on top of that, we lose lung function as we age," says Dr. Sethi, who has done extensive research on COPD.
2. Myth: You Can't Exercise if You Have COPD
Regular exercise can actually make people feel better and breathe easier - as long as they don't over do it.
When physical activity is performed without overexertion, scientists have found that it can make a difference - reducing fatigue, improving fitness and lung function, helping with depression and anxiety, and enhancing overall quality of life.
As regular exercise builds stronger muscles, heart, and lungs, the body becomes more efficient at getting oxygen into the bloodstream.
People with COPD just have to be careful not to exercise too long or intensely, or they can experience shortness of breath and possible injury. While people differ in their capacities for physical activity, the American Lung Association says that in general a moderate amount of exercise is 20 to 30 minutes for three to four days a week. Activities may include a combination of stretching, strength building (such as lifting weights), and aerobics (walking, swimming, and bike riding).
3. Myth: COPD Only Affects Older Men
Because of the high prevalence of smoking among men, COPD has been considered a disease that primarily affects elderly men. However, research shows that more women die from COPD than men in the United States. According to data from the American Lung Association, in 2021, 72,727 women died from the condition versus 66,098 men. This may be due in part to women having an increased vulnerability to cigarette smoke and smaller lungs.
"Millions of women have COPD - the disease doesn't discriminate," says Meilan King Han, MD , chief of the division of pulmonary and critical care at the University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor, and a spokesperson for the American Lung Association.
4. Myth: Treatments for COPD Aren't Effective
While COPD may not have a cure, "that doesn't mean there are no effective treatments," says Seyedmohammad Pourshahid, MD , pulmonologist at Temple Lung Center and assistant professor of clinical thoracic medicine and Surgery at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia. " There are multiple pharmacological and nonpharmacological therapies that relieve the symptoms and prevent further exacerbation."
Some treatments include smoking cessation, inhaler therapies like bronchodilators, oral steroids, managing other health conditions, vaccination for pneumonia, nutrition, oxygen and noninvasive ventilation, pulmonary rehabilitation, lung volume reduction (bronchoscopy or surgical), and even lung transplant.
"A lot of active research is going into new treatments for COPD," says Dr. Han with the American Lung Association. "I anticipate within the next few years, we will have even more therapies for this disease."
5. Myth: Living a Healthy Lifestyle Won't Improve Your COPD Symptoms
Again, just because there is no cure, some people believe that lifestyle changes won't make a difference. Although living with the disease is difficult, the National Emphysema Foundation says that people can ease breathing, reduce exacerbations, and improve their overall quality of life by changing their lifestyle habits.
These include quitting smoking, exercising regularly, managing stress, and avoiding air pollutants.
"Eating foods that support lung health is crucial for minimizing COPD symptoms," says Korinko with the COPD Foundation. "If you are unsure which diet is right for you, consult your healthcare provider for nutrition counseling to help you make the best food choices." The American Lung Association suggests that eating a diet with fewer carbohydrates and more fat may help ease breathing in COPD patients.
Individuals with COPD have a harder time exhaling carbon dioxide. When your body metabolizes carbohydrates, it produces more carbon dioxide for the amount of oxygen used.
When your body metabolizes fat, it produces the least amount of carbon dioxide. The Cleveland Clinic advises following a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes eating healthy fats from fish, nuts, avocados and olive oil, and few carbohydrates.
Korinko also notes the importance of socializing and getting support from others to help you cope with the disease which in turn can promote overall mental well-being.
6. Myth: COPD Only Affects Your Lungs
COPD may be categorized as a respiratory illness, but its effects can extend to the whole body. In the disease's advanced stages, the lungs can become severely damaged and no longer supply sufficient oxygen to the rest of the body, according to the Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care.
The condition can cause systemic inflammation, affecting the body's circulatory system leading to conditions like high blood pressure and possibly heart failure as the heart weakens. The risk of heart attack and stroke may also increase.
The American Lung Association warns that the extra exertion required to breathe with COPD can cause muscle loss, which in turn can lead to fatigue and weaken the immune system, potentially leaving the body vulnerable to severe infections. A state of low oxygen (hypoxia) from COPD can also influence bone health and increase the chances for developing osteoporosis .
Dr. Pourshahid notes that people may experience more depression and anxiety connected to the stress from coping with the disease.
7. Myth: You Can't Live a Full Life With COPD
People with COPD may have to handle the everyday challenges of living with the condition, but they can work , enjoy activities, see friends and family, and accomplish common tasks. They can live meaningful and productive lives.
Research suggests that being proactive - taking control of your health and improving self-management to better handle day-to-day living can be key to living a full life with COPD.
"I tell most of my patients that they may not be able to run a marathon, but there is no reason why they can't do a lot of things that are pleasurable in life and contribute to life," says Sethi. "In the end, if you develop a positive attitude and take steps to live with the condition, you can have a productive life."
The Takeaway
COPD is a serious lung condition with many misconceptions, but understanding the facts can help you live a full life even with the diagnosis. Whether it's knowing nonsmokers can develop COPD or learning that exercise can benefit you despite your symptoms, knowledge is key. Take small steps to quit smoking, stay active, and eat a nutritious diet to manage your symptoms better.
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy . We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Sources
Syamlal G et al. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Prevalence Among Adults Who Have Never Smoked, by Industry and Occupation - United States, 2013–2017. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report . April 5, 2019.
Xie J et al. Air Pollution and Risk of Chronic Obstructed Pulmonary Disease: The Modifying Effect of Genetic Susceptibility and Lifestyle. eBioMedicine . April 9, 2022.
COPD and Nutrition: Managing Difficulties with Weight Gain. Author: American Lung Association Editorial Staff. American Lung Association . June 9, 2021.
Ma Y et al. Osteoporosis in Patients With Respiratory Diseases. Frontiers in Physiology . July 11, 2022.
David Mannino, MD, is the chief medical officer at the COPD Foundation . He has a long history of research and engagement in respiratory health.
After completing medical training as a pulmonary care specialist, Dr. Mannino joined the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Air Pollution and Respiratory Health Branch. While at CDC, he helped to develop the National Asthma Program and led efforts on the Surveillance Reports that described the U.S. burden of asthma (1998) and COPD (2002).
After his retirement from CDC in 2004, Mannino joined the faculty at the University of Kentucky, where he was involved both clinically in the College of Medicine and as a teacher, researcher, and administrator in the College of Public Health. He served as professor and chair in the department of preventive medicine and environmental health from 2012 to 2017, with a joint appointment in the department of epidemiology.
In 2004, Mannino helped to launch the COPD Foundation, where he served as a board member from 2004 through 2015, chairman of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee from 2010 through 2015, and chief scientific officer from 2015 to 2017.
Mannino has over 350 publications and serves as an associate editor or editorial board member for the following journals: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine , Chest , Thorax , European Respiratory Journal , and the Journal of the COPD Foundation . He was also a coauthor of the Surgeon General's Report on Tobacco in 2008 and 2014.
Don Rauf has been a freelance health writer for over 12 years and his writing has been featured in HealthDay, CBS News, WebMD, U.S. News & World Report, Mental Floss, United Press International (UPI), Health , and MedicineNet. He was previously a reporter for DailyRx.com where he covered stories related to cardiology, diabetes, lung cancer, prostate cancer, erectile dysfunction, menopause, and allergies. He has interviewed doctors and pharmaceutical representatives in the U.S. and abroad.
He is a prolific writer and has written more than 50 books, including Lost America: Vanished Civilizations , Abandoned Towns , and Roadside Attractions . Rauf lives in Seattle, Washington.
Having COPD from smoking has altered my life somewhat, I recently moved to northern Maine from NJ for the cleaner air. Trying to stay active outdoors, the higher altitude here kicks my ass sometimes. All in moderation I guess.
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