my husband has copd

my husband is 43 and we have to small childern 2 and 5 and yesterday he came home and told me that the docter told him he has copd i have been looking it up online and getting very scared when i asked him what stage he was in he had no clue to what i was talking about is that normal for a docter to tell you you have copd and not tell you what stage he is in i am scared and don't know what to do because i don't know much about copd can anyone give me some info

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is basically an obstruction to airflow. Asthma is the commonest COPD. It can also be due to exposure to asbestos, silisca etc. Yes, doctors generally specify the stage if it is in the later stages. If you husband is very breathless, coughs a lot, is easily fatigued, and not responding to treatment then he is in later stages. If he has just been diagnosed, then probably it is in early stage, and hence the doctor has not mentioned. However, please discuss this with your husband's treating doctor. Take care!

[DesertDance]

he just had the xray confirming COPD.  But we know nothing about it.  He is really sleepy all the time.  This only happend after his mom died, and he went after her garage with a vaccum that spit dust back at him.  He is coughing constantly, and really sleepy.

[Marciepaint]

I was diagnosed at 45 (55 now)   They x-rayed and told me it was COPD.  No one ever gave more extensive tests until  it was recentley as it is much worse.  The best thing he can do is QUIT smoking (if he does)  I was unable to put the cigs down for 6 years after diagnosis.  That made a HUGE difference in how sick I am now.  I still have a pretty decent quality of life, but not a very active life.  If he can quit now, He will likely play with his grandchildren.