text: i have heard that copd is a leading cause of death. what happens when you die of copd?   actually it is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. basically copd consists of c.b.a.b.e-cystic fibrosis , bronchitis , asthma , bronchiectasis , and emphysema. you die from this usually from an exacerbation where your lungs just cannot keep up with the demands of your body for oxygen and the by-product of the body using oxygen. when the body uses oxygen it makes co2 and your body puts excess co2 in the lungs for you to exhale it and get rid of it when it accumulates it makes the ph decrease which makes the body more acid-like. usually someone that dies of copd will have multiple problems before they finally do die. a lot of times they end up with a tracheostomy tube and have problems with being on a ventilator (a machine that breathes for you just in case someone doesn't know what that is). the most comfortable way for someone with copd to die is for them to go home with comfort measures for palliative care so that they can be relaxed and comfortable while they remain on this earth---hope that helps