COPD Specialist & Treatment in Guwahati

What is COPD, and who is at risk in Assam?

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a long-term lung condition that causes progressive breathlessness, a persistent cough, and reduced exercise capacity. Most people associate it with smoking — but in Assam and the Northeast, long-term exposure to indoor cooking smoke from firewood and biomass is also a major cause, which is why COPD here is not only a smoker's disease and is often seen in women who have never smoked. At Breathe Clinic we diagnose COPD with post-bronchodilator spirometry, stage its severity, and build a treatment plan that slows decline and keeps you active.

Reviewed by Dr. Smitakshi Medhi, MD, Consultant Pulmonologist.

When to get checked: breathlessness climbing stairs or walking, a cough with phlegm most days, frequent chest infections, or a history of smoking or years of cooking-smoke exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can COPD be reversed?
The damage isn't reversed, but the right treatment slows progression, reduces flare-ups, and significantly improves how you breathe and function day to day.

I never smoked — can I still have COPD?
Yes. Long-term biomass and cooking-smoke exposure is a recognised cause, particularly relevant in our region.

How is COPD diagnosed?
With spirometry before and after a bronchodilator — a quick, painless breathing test we do in-house.