Tell us about your symptoms and treatment experience. Take our survey here.

COPD In America 2019. A person sitting on a cloud shaped like lungs

What Is it Like to Live With COPD? – Results From the 2019 COPD In America Survey

More than 2,000 people with COPD participated in our COPD In America survey to share more about life with the condition. Respondents opened up about their diagnosis journey, their relationships with their healthcare providers, treatment experiences and satisfaction, relationships with family and friends, and the daily struggles of living with COPD. In addition to frustrating symptoms, many respondents struggle with support from others and the stigma that they face when it comes to oxygen wear or past smoking habits.

The most common COPD symptom

A majority (91%) of respondents reported that their COPD is moderate (46%) or severe (45%). For these people, shortness of breath and fatigue were the most common symptoms experienced. It’s no surprise that these symptoms are also the most frustrating. These symptoms interfere with daily activities and occur often even with proper treatment and medications for COPD.

Shortness of breath and fatigue are the most common and most frustrating symptoms reported.

Other conditions and comorbidities with COPD

In addition to a COPD diagnosis, most (94%) also experience other conditions and comorbidities that bring about a new set of daily challenges. These conditions may occur as a result of COPD, in addition to COPD, or due to similar risk factors that cause COPD like smoking.

Other conditions are hypertension, allergies, respiratory infections, arthritis, high cholesterol, anxiety, GERD & pneumonia.

Support and social life with the condition

Although 2/3 of patients have someone involved in their care, there is still a lack of support for many. Over 20% expressed a need for emotional support, help with household duties, and finding coping strategies. Additionally, COPD can be very lonely and over half of the respondents reported that they feel less social because of the condition.

A lonely person with the quote “People don’t invite me to events because I become very breathless. I think it scares them.”

Judgement around COPD and oxygen use

Oxygen therapy or supplemental oxygen delivers an extra supply of oxygen into the body to help improve symptoms of COPD. It is a common treatment for COPD, yet many are judged and stigmatized by the mere sight of it. Additionally, there are challenges when it comes to running errands, traveling, or attending social events with oxygen. Bracing those challenges contributes to the loneliness and isolation that so many people with COPD may feel.

Statistics for oxygen use & an alien wearing oxygen with the quote “When I wear my oxygen in public, I feel like an alien.”

The smoking stigma

Smoking is the number one risk factor for COPD, but not everyone who has COPD is a former smoker. For both smokers and non-smokers alike, there is a stigma and blame that comes with a COPD diagnosis. Patients express that outsiders tend to feel they brought COPD onto themselves and even say 'I told you so' to those suffering from this condition. This is not helpful for those with COPD who need support from the closest people in their lives.

Image describing the stigma around smoking with quotes about stigma from respondents who did and did not smoke previously.

The COPD in America 2019 survey was conducted online from April through July of 2019. The 2,007 patients who completed the survey have been diagnosed with COPD; chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis.

By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our privacy policy.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The COPD.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

Community Poll

Has COPD impacted intimacy in your relationships?