What Are the Signs of COPD?
Symptoms of COPD can vary depending on which form of the disease you have. However, common symptoms include the following.
Wheezing
Wheezing is a whistling sound made when an individual inhales or exhales. In COPD, it develops due to the narrowing or constriction of the airways. The narrow airways make it difficult to move air in and out.
If a patient is wheezing, it can significantly impact their life. Having problems moving air in and out of the lungs can affect physical activity, making even simple activities such as climbing stairs challenging.
Coughing
Individuals with COPD may develop excess mucus production, which triggers coughing. The mucus can be thick and sticky, making coughing it out of the lungs difficult. Narrowing of the airways, called bronchospasm, can also cause coughing.
Frequent coughing can lead to fatigue. Thick mucus production can also make someone feel as if they are choking and interfere with normal breathing.
Chest tightness
Due to mucus production and narrowing of the airways, chest tightness is a common symptom of COPD. It can make performing routine activities difficult and decrease exercise tolerance. Because someone with COPD may have trouble exercising, they may also become deconditioned, which makes it even more difficult to perform everyday activities.
Shortness of Breath
Since it can be difficult to get air in and out of the lungs, it's common to develop breathlessness at rest and during activity. Shortness of breath can make it difficult for individuals to do regular household chores, engage in recreational activities and exercise.
Trouble breathing can also cause anxiety and feelings of panic.
Fatigue
COPD causes fatigue for many reasons. For example, COPD leads to increased breathing work, meaning someone has to work harder to get air in and out of their lungs. Continually struggling to breathe is tiring and often leads to fatigue.
Additionally, individuals with COPD may have trouble exhaling, and carbon dioxide can build up in the body, contributing to fatigue. Fatigue often has a significant impact on an individual's overall well-being.
Low Oxygen Level
Because individuals with COPD may have trouble getting air in their lungs, the oxygen level in their blood may decline. Low oxygen levels can also contribute to shortness of breath and fatigue.
Symptoms of COPD may occur constantly, or they may come and go. Certain triggers may cause a flare-up of symptoms. Common triggers that may irritate the lungs and cause an exacerbation of COPD include:
- Cold weather.
- Respiratory infections.
- Lung irritants such as strong fragrances and smoke.
Are There Ways to Manage Common COPD Symptoms?
Doctors classify COPD as a chronic progressive disease. This means the condition typically becomes worse over time. However, there are many things an individual with COPD can do to manage their condition.
Although there is currently no cure for COPD, treatment can help reduce symptoms, slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.
Treatment is available, including medication to open the airways and decrease inflammation. Pulmonary rehabilitation classes can also teach breathing techniques, improve exercise tolerance and help patients develop ways to manage their disease.
Forms of COPD
COPD is the umbrella term for two main types of obstructive airway disease: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Below is more information on the differences between the two forms of COPD.
Emphysema
Emphysema involves damage to the walls between the air sacs in the lung and the air sacs themselves. Normal air sacs in the lungs are stretchy, which allows them to fill up with air on inhalation, similar to a balloon. When an individual exhales, the air sacs deflate, and the air moves out of the body.
In an individual with emphysema, the air sacs lose their tone and become floppy. This makes it difficult to fully exhale and causes air trapping in the lungs, contributing to symptoms.
Chronic Bronchitis
Chronic bronchitis involves repeated irritation in the lining of the bronchi, which causes chronic inflammation and excess mucus production.
Some people may also have a combination of both emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
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