ARFP

Autumn Road Family Practice

904 Autumn Road, #200

Little Rock, AR 72211

Diabetes and COPD

What is COPD?

In chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the flow of air into and out of the lungs is impaired.  COPD is chronic bronchitis, asthma, emphysema or a mixture of these conditions.  People with COPD are usually short of breath, have frequent cough and produce sputum.

COPD often starts slowly with shortness of breath during activity, a "morning cough" and colds that seem to last longer than usual.  This is all worse for people who smoke.

How is COPD treated?

COPD is treated with medicines and breathing treatments.  One medicine that is used is steroids.  Prednisone is a steroid.  Steroids can help COPD but will raise blood sugar.