Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

COPD is defined as a heterogeneous lung condition marked by persistent respiratory symptoms such as dyspnea, cough, and sputum production, caused by abnormalities in the airways that cause airflow obstruction.
Smoking is a primary risk factor for COPD, with over 80% of patients having a history of it. Patients typically experience progressive dyspnea or labored breathing, frequent coughing, and recurrent pulmonary infections. Many eventually succumb to respiratory failure, characterized by...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease IV: Clinical Manifestations

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a long-term condition marked by persistent and only partially reversible airflow limitation. It involves two overlapping conditions—chronic bronchitis and emphysema—which often co-appear but differ in dominant symptoms and underlying mechanisms.Chronic Bronchitis FeaturesChronic bronchitis presents with a persistent productive cough and thick, sometimes purulent mucus due to airway inflammation, enlarged mucus glands, and goblet cell...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease I: Introduction

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a common, preventable, and treatable respiratory disorder characterized by persistent symptoms and progressive airflow limitation. This limitation results from a combination of small-airway disease (obstructive bronchiolitis) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema), both driven by chronic inflammation from exposure to harmful particles or gases.The disease includes two main pathological entities: emphysema, marked by destruction of alveolar walls and...

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

COPD: Pathogenesis and Clinical Features

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that progressively worsen over time, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. This cluster of diseases collectively leads to a gradual and irreversible decline in lung function over time.
The primary cause for the onset of COPD is cigarette smoking and exposure to air pollution. These hazardous factors initiate a chain reaction within the lungs, resulting in chronic inflammation, damage to the airways, and a...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-I: Introduction

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a long-lasting respiratory condition requiring continuous attention and care. It is a progressive lung disease that leads to breathing challenges due to airflow obstruction. It manifests as persistent respiratory symptoms and restricted airflow resulting from abnormalities in the airways and alveoli, usually due to long-term exposure to harmful particles or gases. COPD mainly consists of two primary conditions: emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-IV: Assessement and Diagnostic Studies

Assessing and diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) involves a detailed approach that includes a comprehensive review of medical history, physical examination, and a variety of diagnostic tests. This thorough evaluation is essential to ensure an accurate diagnosis and guide effective management strategies.
Medical History

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Comparative Effectiveness and Safety of Fluticasone-Umeclidinium-Vilanterol and Beclomethasone-Glycopyrronium-Formoterol Single-Inhaler Triple Therapies for COPD: Real-World Observational Study [Letter].

International journal of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease·2026

Same author

Mucus Plug Formation is Associated with Eosinophilic Activation in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine·2026

Same author

Airway Mucus Plugs in Asthma and COPD: Pathobiology, Imaging, and Implications for Clinical Trials.

American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine·2026

Same author

Every Exacerbation Counts: Shifting the Dial for Future Exacerbation Risk.

American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine·2026

Same author

Small airways obstruction predicts cardiovascular disease incidence: a longitudinal study of UK Biobank.

ERJ open research·2026

Same author

A Brief History of COPD: As Told by Some of Its Senior Scientists and Clinicians.

Journal of clinical medicine·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 28, 2026

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

Published on: September 27, 2024

Time course and pattern of COPD exacerbation onset.

Shawn D Aaron¹, Gavin C Donaldson, George A Whitmore

¹Department of Medicine, The Ottawa Hospital, General Campus, 501 Smyth Road, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6, Canada. saaron@ohri.ca

|October 20, 2011

Summary

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations present with either sudden or gradual symptom onset. Sudden onset exacerbations feature more severe symptoms but lead to quicker recovery.

More Related Videos

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: October 18, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 28, 2026

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

Alternative Therapy for Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Moving Cupping Along Meridians

Published on: September 27, 2024

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Acupoint Application Combined with Ear Plaster Therapy for Treating Sleep Disorders with Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Published on: October 18, 2024

Area of Science:

Pulmonary Medicine
Respiratory Health
Clinical Epidemiology

Background:

The onset patterns and natural history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations are not fully understood.
Understanding exacerbation onset is crucial for effective COPD management.

Purpose of the Study:

To characterize the time course and onset patterns of COPD exacerbations.
To identify factors influencing exacerbation onset and duration.

Main Methods:

A prospective cohort study monitored 212 COPD patients using daily symptom diaries for nearly three years.
Decision rules based on weighted self-reported symptoms defined exacerbation events.
Logistic regression analyzed patient covariates and exacerbation characteristics.

Main Results:

Of 1995 COPD exacerbations, 56% had sudden onset, while 44% showed gradual onset (median 4 days from symptom onset).
Sudden onset exacerbations were linked to higher symptom scores and shorter recovery times (11 vs. 13 days).
Gradual onset exacerbations were associated with longer recovery durations (OR 1.28).

Conclusions:

COPD exacerbations manifest as two distinct patterns: sudden and gradual onset.
Sudden onset exacerbations involve increased symptom severity but shorter recovery periods.
Gradual onset is associated with prolonged exacerbation recovery, highlighting different disease trajectories.