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What Are the Symptoms of COPD?

Symptoms of COPD include frequent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty inhaling deeply, excess phlegm, spitting up phlegm (mucus), frequent respiratory infections, and fatigue. An exacerbation or flare-up is when COPD symptoms worsen.
Symptoms of COPD include frequent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty inhaling deeply, excess phlegm, spitting up phlegm (mucus), frequent respiratory infections, and fatigue. An exacerbation or flare-up is when COPD symptoms worsen.

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) refers to a group of chronic, progressive lung diseases that block airflow and cause breathing problems. Types of COPD include: 

Symptoms of COPD include:

  • Frequent cough
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Difficulty inhaling deeply
  • Excess phlegm, mucus, or sputum production
  • Spitting up phlegm (mucus) 
  • Frequent respiratory infections
  • Fatigue

When symptoms of COPD worsen, it’s called an exacerbation or flare-up. Signs of an oncoming COPD exacerbation, which can often occur quickly and suddenly, include: 

  • Coughing more than usual 
  • More shortness of breath than usual
  • Wheezing more than usual
  • More fatigue than usual 
  • Cold symptoms: sore throat, fever, or other cold symptoms 
  • Changes in mucus color, consistency, or quantity
  • Feeling unwell 
  • Swollen legs or ankles
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Needing to sleep sitting up instead of lying down
  • Feeling a need for increased oxygen in patients on oxygen
  • Oxygen levels will be lower than normal if measured

When to See a Doctor for COPD Symptoms

Call 911 right away or go to a hospital’s emergency department (do not drive yourself) immediately if you experience serious warning signs of a COPD exacerbation such as:

  • Feeling of suffocating 
  • Chest pain
  • Blue lips or fingernail beds (cyanosis)
  • Confusion

What Is the Treatment for COPD?

The goal of treatment for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is to relieve symptoms, decrease the frequency and severity of exacerbations, and increase exercise tolerance. 

Treatment for COPD may include:

  • Quitting smoking
    • The most important part of COPD treatment for people who smoke because it’s the most common cause of COPD
  • Avoiding secondhand tobacco smoke
  • Avoiding air pollutants at home and at work
  • Medications to treat symptoms 
    • Bronchodilators including anticholinergics and beta2-agonists 
    • Anti-inflammatories, such as corticosteroids 
    • Antibiotics 
    • Influenza (flu) and pneumococcal vaccinations to prevent lung infections
  • Pulmonary rehabilitation
    • A type of treatment program that teaches strategies to improve quality of life 
  • Supplemental oxygen

Patients with COPD should work with their doctors to plan for when exacerbations (flare-ups) occur. Treating flare-ups right away can reduce the chance of serious illness and additional lung damage. 

Treatment for COPD exacerbations may include: 

  • Quick-relief inhaler
  • Nebulizer 
  • Steroids 
  • Antibiotics

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References
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https://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html

https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-disease/copd/flare-ups

https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/symptoms-diagnosis