Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Facing a serious advanced illness is not easy. There are difficult topics to discuss with your loved ones, treatment options to consider, and tough decisions to make.
Here at Kaiser Permanente, we have a team of health care professionals here help you and your family talk through these challenging issues and understand your options. We want to hear what is important to you. Whatever your wishes, we will work with you by providing information and support.
What is COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. It’s often a mix of two diseases caused by smoking: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Over time, it can lead to severe shortness of breath and heart problems. COPD can’t be cured, but with the proper medications and lifestyle changes may help reduce symptoms.
How can we help?
- Monitor your symptoms
- Make adjustments to your medications as needed
- Manage COPD Flare Ups
- Learn to manage your symptoms at home
- Assist you in applying for financial assistance for medications and clinic visits (if qualified)
- Access social service and community resources
How to get more information?
To learn more about COPD, talk to your primary care physician.
