What is COPD?  COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a very serious degenerative lung disease that affects some 13 million people. It is also estimated that another 15 million cases of COPD are undiagnosed even in individuals that are already exhibiting signs of COPD.

One of the primary COPD signs and symptoms is shortness of breath. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is an umbrella term that encompasses several lung diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Although COPD is a disease with no immediate cure, it is a disease that is treatable and preventable.

With COPD, the airways that carry air to your lungs become narrowed and it becomes more difficult for you to breathe. In your lungs, there are tiny air sacs where the airways end in your lungs and these air sacs don’t empty and your lungs feel full when you have COPD.

One of the primary causes of COPD is of course smoking. If you are currently smoking, one of the best things that you can do to help in dealing with COPD is to stop smoking.

COPD Signs and Symptoms

It is important to be on the lookout for potential COPD signs and symptoms.  Some common symptoms of COPD include the following:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath while engaged in everyday activities
• Constant coughing, sometimes referred to as “smoker’s cough”
• Production of excessive sputum (also called mucous or phlegm)
• Feeling as if you can’t take a deep breath

If you have observed some of these signs of COPD,  you should contact your primary physician to be tested. One of the tests your doctor will administer is a Spirometry test, which measures the effectiveness of your lung function. For this test, you will blow into a tube attached to a machine that will measure the volume of air expelled as well as how fast the air is expelled.

Your doctor will also require a complete a medical history and checkup and usually a chest x-ray to help determine if you have COPD.

COPD Signs and Symptoms – Possible Treatments

If you are exhibiting COPD signs and symptoms, and your doctor has determined that you have COPD, he or she will likely prescribe medicines in the form of inhalers, which will help to open airways making it easier to breath. Some of these medicines may be taken with a nebulizer, which turns the medicine into a fine mist that is deeply inhaled into the lungs to open passageways.

If you have severe COPD,  your doctor may prescribe home oxygen therapy to help with shortness of breath. Oxygen may be needed day and night or perhaps only part of the time.

Your doctor may also prescribe a pulmonary rehabilitation program to help you better deal with your COPD. This program will provide support as well as exercise intended to help you better manage your COPD.

Finally, in extreme cases, surgery may be required as a means to control COPD.

COPD Signs and Symptoms – Always Seek Professional Medical Help

If you or someone you know is exhibiting COPD symptoms, it is important to get tested by a doctor. If COPD is detected early enough, there is much that can be done to treat this serious lung disease. There are many newer treatments that can help control COPD symptoms and give patients a higher quality of life. Don’t let COPD stop you from living.

For more information about COPD Signs and Symptoms, you may want to visit the American Lung Association website.

The information found on this website is not intended to be a substitute for guidance from a licensed physician.  Never self-diagnose, always seek proper medical attention.