10 Medical Terms Every Senior Should Know (No More Guessing at the Doctor’s Office)

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)

Do you run out of breath after just tying your shoes? Maybe you chalk it up to age or past smoking, but COPD is more than just “getting winded.” It’s a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to get air in—and even harder to get it out.

The good news? There are inhalers, breathing exercises, and lifestyle changes that can help you manage it. You don’t have to sit on the sidelines wheezing—just take control early, and let your lungs breathe a little easier.