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Why is it important to test for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. COPD can be caused by damage to the lungs over many years. If you have COPD, you may have trouble breathing and experience shortness of breath. These attacks are frightening and weaken your body’s defenses. Early detection and treatment of COPD is important. A breathing test can help identify the type of lung disease and check to see how well your treatment is working.

How should doctors test for COPD?

If you are newly diagnosed with COPD, your doctor should give you a breathing test to measure how well your lungs take in and release air. This test is called a spirometry test. Test results can help your doctor find out if you have this lung disease and help determine how well your treatment is working.

Talk with your doctor and health plan to find out about what other services are available. Many health plans offer additional support and resources for patients with COPD. These additional services may be educational materials (online and in print), classes or support groups, or phone counseling.