Does cutting down on smoking help COPD?

Even if you already have COPD, you can still benefit from quitting. In fact, smoking cessation is the only reliable treatment to slow the progression of your COPD and help you maintain the lung function you have left. Stopping smoking can also help you avoid serious flare-ups of your condition.

Is COPD reversible if you quit smoking?

Quitting smoking cannot completely reverse COPD, but it can help slow the progression of the disease and may improve the body’s response to treatment. As well as preventing any further damage to the lungs, quitting smoking can improve the immune system.

Can you get COPD if you don’t smoke?

COPD is not necessarily caused by smoking, that is, folks who don’t smoke can have COPD. Many cases of COPD get worse as time goes on. If you quit smoking your COPD may be less symptomatic but may still progress. Quitting smoking will NOT make your COPD worse.

Can COPD be reversed by quitting smoking?

If there has already been damage to your lungs, it usually can’t be reversed. Quitting smoking can help you to maintain the lung function you still have and prevent further damage. Continuing to smoke would cause your lung function to keep declining. Quitting also prevents COPD flares.

What can I do to slow the progression of COPD?

Stop Smoking. One of the best things you can do to slow the progression of COPD is to quit smoking. If you continue to smoke, your lung damage will increase. By quitting smoking, you can reduce how fast your lung function declines. Quitting may be challenging for some people, but it is well worth the effort.

What happens to your lungs when you quit smoking?

Quitting smoking can help you to maintain the lung function you still have and prevent further damage. Continuing to smoke would cause your lung function to keep declining. Quitting also prevents COPD flares. People with COPD may notice their cough and breathing improve within 1 to 9 months.