What Are the Signs and Symptoms of COPD?
The signs and symptoms of COPD include:
- An ongoing cough or a cough that produces large
amounts of mucus (often called "smoker's cough")
- Shortness of breath, especially with physical
activity
- Wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound when you
breathe)
- Chest tightness
These symptoms often occur years before the flow of
air into and out of the lungs declines. However, not everyone who has these
symptoms has COPD. Likewise, not everyone who has COPD has these symptoms.
Some of the symptoms of COPD are similar to the
symptoms of other diseases and conditions. Your doctor can determine if you
have COPD.
If you have COPD, you may have frequent colds or
flu. If your COPD is severe, you may have swelling in your ankles, feet, or
legs; a bluish color on your lips due to low levels of oxygen in your blood;
and shortness of breath.
COPD symptoms usually slowly worsen over time. At
first, if symptoms are mild, you may not notice them, or you may adjust your
lifestyle to make breathing easier. For example, you may take the elevator
instead of the stairs.
Over time, symptoms may become bad enough to see a
doctor. For example, you may get short of breath during physical exertion.
How severe your symptoms are depends on how much
lung damage you have. If you keep smoking, the damage will occur faster than if
you stop smoking. In severe COPD, you may have other symptoms, such as weight
loss and lower muscle endurance.
Some severe symptoms may require treatment in a
hospital. Youwith the help of family members or friends, if you're
unableshould seek emergency care if:
- You're having a hard time catching your breath or
talking.
- Your lips or fingernails turn blue or gray. (This
is a sign of a low oxygen level in your blood.)
- You're not mentally alert.
- Your heartbeat is very fast.
- The recommended treatment for symptoms that are
getting worse isn't working.
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