Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, encompasses progressive lung conditions, including chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma.

Its symptoms include persistent cough, breathlessness, sputum production, and intermittent exacerbations.

COPD management relies on medication and lifestyle changes.

Bronchodilators, such as ipratropium bromide — an anticholinergic agent, and albuterol — a β₂-adrenergic agonist, offer symptomatic relief and improve lung function, with less frequent dosing.

Systemically active glucocorticoids, or corticosteroids, have limited efficacy in treating COPD, while inhaled corticosteroids can improve a patient's quality of life without halting lung function decline.

Theophylline is useful for patients who retain CO₂. It improves ventilatory capacity by enhancing diaphragm contractile function.

Antibiotics help manage COPD exacerbations due to lower airway bacterial infections.

Long-term oxygen therapy can extend the life expectancy in severe COPD cases.

Finally, lifestyle modifications, particularly smoking cessation, are vital in managing COPD.