Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD for short) is a lung disease characterized by persistent and incomplete reversible airflow limitation, which can be determined by pulmonary function tests. The main symptoms include shortness of breath after activity, cough and sputum, which may be accompanied by systemic manifestations such as malnutrition and wasting. In severe cases, shortness of breath may also be evident when quiet, and even respiratory failure may occur. COPD is a common disease in the elderly, and can be accompanied by coughing and coughing after activity. COPD is a common disease, and is particularly common in the elderly. In industrialized societies, COPD is one of the five leading causes of disability and death, and the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 2.74 million people died from COPD worldwide in 2000, and that the United States spent approximately $14.7 billion on COPD in 2002, far more than any other lung disease. And while the incidence of many other diseases has been declining year by year for the past three decades, the incidence of COPD has been rising significantly. The etiology of COPD is related to long-term inhalation of harmful airborne gases and microscopic particles, as well as to the patient’s own physical condition. Smoking is the main cause of COPD, so advocating smoking cessation is crucial to COPD prevention. Although COPD cannot be completely cured at present, medical advances have brought a boon to COPD patients. Available treatments, including bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory drugs (not antibiotics as they are commonly called), vaccines to prevent infection, functional exercise, oxygen therapy and non-invasive mechanical ventilation, can significantly improve the patient’s symptoms, improve quality of life, extend life expectancy, reduce the number of acute exacerbations and thus reduce the economic burden. Therefore, COPD patients should actively cooperate with their physicians, follow up regularly and develop the right plan under the guidance of their physicians.