{"id":6851,"date":"2025-07-08T10:53:50","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T10:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ambula.pt\/blog\/sem-categoria\/copd-the-cough-that-shouldnt-be-ignored\/"},"modified":"2025-10-02T10:21:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T10:21:00","slug":"copd-the-cough-that-shouldnt-be-ignored","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ambula.pt\/en\/blog\/health\/copd-the-cough-that-shouldnt-be-ignored\/","title":{"rendered":"COPD: the cough that shouldn&#8217;t be ignored"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"6851\" class=\"elementor elementor-6851 elementor-6315\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85894e0 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"85894e0\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a9ea25f exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"a9ea25f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0cfbce5 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0cfbce5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Did you know that there are around 800,000 people with COPD in Portugal and that <strong>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sppneumologia.pt\/noticias\/16-de-novembro-dia-mundial-da-dpoc-dpo-que-estudo-revela-que-portugueses-desconhecem-doenca-que-e-a-terceira-causa-de-morte-no-mundo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">7 out of 10 don&#8217;t even know they have the disease<\/a>\n<\/strong>?<\/p><p> <\/p><p>It&#8217;s just that the signs often seem like everyday tiredness: a persistent cough, shortness of breath when climbing stairs, a chest that tightens in the cold. The body resists until breathing is no longer so simple. And that&#8217;s when COPD is discovered &#8211; an invisible but real disease that needs to be recognized before it progresses in silence.  <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-864bc02 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"864bc02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e770ab4 e-flex e-con-boxed wpr-particle-no wpr-jarallax-no wpr-parallax-no wpr-sticky-section-no e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e770ab4\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-423e5bd exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"423e5bd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key points of the article<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58e274d exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"58e274d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>COPD is a chronic and progressive respiratory disease that affects around 800,000 people in Portugal<\/li><li>Persistent coughing, shortness of breath and tiredness are common but often overlooked symptoms<\/li><li>The main cause is smoking, although exposure to dust, fumes and genetic factors can also contribute<\/li><li>Diagnosis is made with spirometry, but 70% of cases remain unidentified<\/li><li>There is no cure, but it can be stopped with proper treatment, respiratory rehabilitation and lifestyle changes<\/li><li>Prevention, early diagnosis and follow-up are essential for improving quality of life.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b43255f exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b43255f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">COPD: what is it?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3778a4a exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3778a4a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>It&#8217;s not a single disease, but rather an umbrella that combines two chronic respiratory conditions:<strong> chronic bronchitis<\/strong> and <strong>pulmonary emphysema<\/strong>. Both cause <strong>obstruction of the airways<\/strong>, making it difficult for air to pass through and making breathing a real effort. <\/p><p> <\/p><p>The obstruction doesn&#8217;t go away on its own and gets worse over time, especially if it isn&#8217;t diagnosed and monitored. But it&#8217;s not all bad news: <strong>with the right treatment and a few lifestyle changes, it&#8217;s possible to live better with COPD<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79e780e exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"79e780e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4bf0f1c exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"4bf0f1c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Causes and risk factors<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-760985f exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"760985f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The big villain has a familiar name: <strong>tobacco<\/strong>. Smoking for years is the main cause of COPD. <\/p><p>But there are other factors to take into account:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li>Exposure to dust, fumes and chemicals, especially in the workplace<\/li><li>Air pollution, especially in urban areas<\/li><li>Smoke from fireplaces, common in poorly ventilated houses in rural areas<\/li><li>Common respiratory infections in childhood<\/li><li>Family history or genetic deficiency (such as the rare but relevant absence of the alpha-1-antitrypsin protein).<\/li><\/ul><p><br>It&#8217;s important to emphasize<strong>: not all smokers get COPD<\/strong>, but the longer and more you smoke, the greater the risk. And, of course, those who already have asthma or other respiratory diseases are even more vulnerable. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-138ec17 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"138ec17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f948a49 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f948a49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">COPD: symptoms<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ca9115a exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ca9115a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>COPD comes on slowly, often silently. For this reason, the first symptoms are easily overlooked. But there are signs to look out for:  <\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li>Chronic, dry or expectorating cough (often associated with smoking and therefore ignored)<\/li><li>Wheezing (a high-pitched sound when breathing)<\/li><li>A feeling of tightness in the chest<\/li><li>Shortness of breath (dyspnea), first on exertion, then even at rest<\/li><li>Constant tiredness and limited daily activities<\/li><li>In more advanced stages: anxiety, weight loss, frequent respiratory infections and even bluish fingers (a sign of lack of oxygen).<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-21eba7d exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"21eba7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How is the diagnosis made?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d1f9f78 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d1f9f78\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The progression is slow but continuous, which is why <strong>identifying the problem early makes all the difference<\/strong>. The most commonly used test to confirm the diagnosis is spirometry &#8211; a simple but essential test that measures how much air the lungs can breathe in and out. It can also be complemented with:  <\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li><strong>X-ray or chest CT scan<\/strong> (to detect emphysema and exclude other diseases)<\/li><li><strong>Blood tests and arterial blood gases<\/strong> (to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels)<\/li><li><strong>Evaluation of genetic deficiency of alpha-1-antitrypsin<\/strong> in suspected cases.<\/li><\/ul><p> <\/p><p>If there is a persistent cough, expectoration, tiredness and a history of smoking or exposure to irritants, it is always worth making an appointment with a pulmonologist.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f05579d exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f05579d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cfeddd3 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cfeddd3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">COPD in Portugal: the weight of the numbers and the experts' warning<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5501180 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5501180\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Despite affecting around <strong>800,000 people in Portugal<\/strong>, COPD remains largely unknown to the population. It is estimated that <g id=\"gid_1\">70% of cases go undiagnosed<\/g>, which means that many patients do not receive adequate follow-up or treatment. And this has serious consequences: in 2022 alone, respiratory diseases caused <strong>more than 12,000 deaths<\/strong> in the country, and experts warn that they could become <strong>the leading cause of death by the end of the decade.<\/strong>  <\/p><p> <\/p><p>This scenario has led to the creation of various awareness and research initiatives, such as the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.campus.sanofi\/pt\/ciencia\/Imunologia\/forum-saude-respiratoria-2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\n  <strong>Respiratory Health Forum 2025<\/strong>\n<\/a>which advocates an integrated response to the respiratory disease crisis, and the <strong>\n  <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sppneumologia.pt\/noticias\/sociedade-portuguesa-de-pneumologia-e-astrazeneca-desenvolvem-estudo-inovador-sobre-a-dpoc-em-portugal?utm_source=chatgpt.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">new national study<\/a>\n<\/strong> promoted by the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sppneumologia.pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Portuguese Society of Pneumology<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.astrazeneca.pt\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AstraZeneca Portugal<\/a>, which will help outline the clinical and therapeutic profile of COPD patients in Portugal. The aim is clear: to <strong>improve early diagnosis, personalize care and guarantee a fairer and more accessible response to the population.<\/strong> <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9a02af4 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9a02af4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ambula.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1280x720_shutterstock_1682639740-1024x576.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-6854\" alt=\"m\u00e9dico a examinar raio x de um pulm\u00e3o\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ambula.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1280x720_shutterstock_1682639740-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ambula.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1280x720_shutterstock_1682639740-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ambula.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1280x720_shutterstock_1682639740-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.ambula.pt\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1280x720_shutterstock_1682639740.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f02c403 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"f02c403\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-181a322 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"181a322\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">COPD GOLD: what is it and how is it measured?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-90ce0a1 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"90ce0a1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The GOLD classification (<a href=\"https:\/\/goldcopd.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease<\/a>) is used internationally to assess the degree of obstruction and guide treatment, and helps doctors choose the most appropriate treatment plan for each patient.<\/p><p>It is based on the results of spirometry and divides COPD into four stages:<\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li><strong>GOLD 1 (Mild):<\/strong> mild symptoms, little impact on daily life<\/li><li><strong>GOLD 2 (Moderate):<\/strong> more shortness of breath, limitations to physical exertion<\/li><li><strong>GOLD 3 (Severe):<\/strong> greater functional limitation and risk of exacerbations<\/li><li><strong>GOLD 4 (Very severe):<\/strong> constant symptoms and risk of respiratory failure.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30a123b exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"30a123b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">COPD treatment<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b528239 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b528239\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>COPD has no cure, but it does have treatment. And the sooner it starts, the greater the benefits. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cd2da3 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7cd2da3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Key measures<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d7aca1f exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d7aca1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li><strong>Stop smoking. It&#8217;s the most important step and the only one that can halt the progression of the disease; <\/strong><\/li><li>Avoid polluted environments or those with toxic fumes<\/li><li>Annual flu and pneumococcal vaccination to prevent infections<\/li><li>Respiratory physiotherapy and pulmonary rehabilitation, which help restore physical and respiratory capacity.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61d2303 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"61d2303\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Medicines available<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d650027 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d650027\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul><li>Bronchodilators (short or long-acting inhalers): help open up the airways and make breathing easier<\/li><li>Inhaled corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation and prevent seizures<\/li><li>Antibiotics, when there are respiratory infections<\/li><li>Oxygen therapy, in cases where oxygen levels are low<\/li><li>Non-invasive ventilation (with a mask), in more serious situations.<\/li><\/ul><p> <\/p><p>In more advanced cases,<strong> lung volume reduction surgery<\/strong> or, ultimately, <strong>lung transplantation<\/strong> may be considered.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d32dd41 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"d32dd41\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a166332 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"a166332\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How long does a COPD patient live?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb38112 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cb38112\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Rather than counting the years, the important thing is to <strong>make the days better<\/strong>. How long you live after diagnosis depends on several factors: age, the severity of the disease, the presence of other conditions and, above all, whether you continue to smoke. In general:  <\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li>Those with <strong>mild to moderate COPD<\/strong> who have good control of the disease can live many years with quality<\/li><li>In the<strong> more advanced stages<\/strong>, the prognosis is more guarded, but the right treatment can prolong life and improve symptoms.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6354424 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6354424\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Living with COPD: adapting the body, taking care of the mind and moving on<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2abb9d5 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2abb9d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Living with COPD requires adjustments. It&#8217;s true that the disease imposes limits (on the body, on breath, on routines) but it&#8217;s also true that there&#8217;s a lot that can be done to make everyday life lighter, more breathable. <\/p><p><br>And it&#8217;s not just about medication. Taking care of your body and mind makes all the difference: <\/p><p> <\/p><ul><li><strong>Learning breathing techniques<\/strong>, with the help of a physiotherapist, can help to better manage moments of difficulty<\/li><li><strong>Regular physical exercise<\/strong>, adapted to each person&#8217;s ability, helps maintain mobility and muscle strength<\/li><li>Eating <strong>a balanced diet<\/strong> that prevents weight loss or excess fat improves energy and respiratory capacity<\/li><li><strong>Avoiding places with smoke or pollution<\/strong> is essential to protect the lungs<\/li><li><strong>Taking care of your emotional health<\/strong>, talking about your fears and seeking psychological support can ease the burden of anxiety that so often accompanies shortness of breath.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-076d398 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"076d398\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f16ec28 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f16ec28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Breathing may take more work, but it&#8217;s still possible. And every breath counts. <strong>  If you suspect you may have COPD, don&#8217;t put it off.<\/strong>  A timely diagnosis can change everything. And if you&#8217;re already living with the disease, remember: <strong>there are always ways to take care of it, adapt and carry on living<\/strong>. <\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fddfc36 exad-sticky-section-no exad-glass-effect-no elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"fddfc36\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Did you know that there are around 800,000 people with COPD in Portugal and that 7 out of 10 don&#8217;t even know they have the disease ? It&#8217;s just that<\/p>\n<div class='heateorSssClear'><\/div><div  class='heateor_sss_sharing_container heateor_sss_horizontal_sharing' data-heateor-sss-href='https:\/\/www.ambula.pt\/en\/blog\/health\/copd-the-cough-that-shouldnt-be-ignored\/'><div class='heateor_sss_sharing_title' style=\"font-weight:bold\" >Partilhar:<\/div><div class=\"heateor_sss_sharing_ul\"><a aria-label=\"Facebook\" class=\"heateor_sss_facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ambula.pt%2Fen%2Fblog%2Fhealth%2Fcopd-the-cough-that-shouldnt-be-ignored%2F\" title=\"Facebook\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" style=\"font-size:32px!important;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;vertical-align:middle\"><span class=\"heateor_sss_svg\" style=\"background-color:#0765FE;width:30px;height:30px;border-radius:999px;display:inline-block;opacity:1;float:left;font-size:32px;box-shadow:none;display:inline-block;font-size:16px;padding:0 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class='heateorSssClear'><\/div>","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6852,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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How to improve the quality of life of those living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ambula.pt\/en\/blog\/health\/copd-the-cough-that-shouldnt-be-ignored\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"COPD: What it is, Symptoms, Treatment and What to Expect\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What COPD is, symptoms, treatments and prognosis. 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