What is COPD and how can pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) help?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of lung conditions that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Find out more on this page.

What does chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) mean?

  • Chronic = it's a long-term condition, it does not go away
  • Obstructive = your airways are narrowed, so it's harder to breathe out quickly and air gets trapped in your chest
  • Pulmonary = it affects your lungs
  • Disease = it's a medical condition

COPD is a lung condition that can make it harder to breathe. It can also cause coughing and repeated chest infections.

You cannot catch COPD from someone else. It is caused by damage to your lungs and airways over time.

COPD includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Some people have one of these conditions, and some have both.

COPD can get worse over time. But PR can help stop your COPD from getting worse, and can help you live better with your COPD.

PR is a practical course specially designed for people with COPD. It teaches you ways to manage your condition and be more active over time.

How could PR help me?

PR is one of the best treatments for COPD and 9 out of 10 people who complete a PR course say it made living with COPD easier.

Completing a PR course can help you:

  • feel less breathless
  • improve your mood
  • feel less tired and fatigued
  • feel more confident and in control of your COPD
  • stay out of hospital
  • live longer with your COPD
  • improve your fitness, making it easier to do daily tasks like dressing and walking up stairs
  • meet people with a similar lung condition to you

The Prepare for PR team can help you get ready for PR. To arrange a call, check the details in the letter we sent you, or contact the team on 0300 222 5800 and press 4.