Men's Health - Men's Health Line - Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that results in obstruction of the airways. It usually refers to two disorders: chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema.

Smoking is the main cause of COPD. Occupational exposure to chemical fumes and organic dusts (such as wood, mining dusts) can also be a risk factor.

COPD results from chronic irritation and inflammation of the airways, and develops gradually over the years and worsens with time. Symptoms range from being barely noticeable to incapacitating. Common symptoms of COPD include:

Although chronic bronchitis and pulmonary emphysema are diseases that progress slowly, they can compromise the lung function and lead to complications including chest infections which can be fatal.

You can lower your risk of having COPD by:

No smoking.

Avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.

Observe occupational health measures by wearing mask to reduce inhalation of organic dust.

There is no cure for COPD. But there are treatments such as medication along with lifestyle changes that can control and slow down the progress of this disease. The choice of an appropriate treatment is based on the severity of the symptoms, the extent to which they affect the patient's life, and the presence of any other medical conditions.

If you have a diagnosis of COPD, there are many things you can do to help yourself, including:

Become a non-smoker.

Reduce exposure to environmental irritants e.g. secondhand smoke, fumes and environmental pollutants.

Learn and practice breathing techniques to control your breathing.

Maintain a healthy weight.

Exercise regularly under medical supervision.

Use prescribed medications properly and treat infection early.

Avoid stress.

Eat properly and have a healthy diet.

If you have any suspicions, you should seek medical advice.

Apart from chronic smoking, prolonged second-hand smoking can also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Follow occupational health measures and wear mask to reduce inhalation of organic dusts.

Central Health Education Unit
Hotline: 2833 0111

Organizations Offering Help
Department of Health Smoking Cessation Hotline
Phone: 2961 8883

Smoking Cessation Health Centre
Phone: 2855 0787

United Christian Nethersole Community Health Service - Smoke Free Club
Phone：2717 1989

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