Symptoms of COPD

The COPD Foundation maintains that up to 24 million Americans that suffer from COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; however, only half of those suffering have been diagnosed. There is hope that with awareness building, they may be able to catch more early stage cases.  With more diagnoses in grade one and two, there can be more people admitted into clinical trials that may improve life quality and expectancy of those diagnosed.

Here are some signs and symptoms you may be suffering from COPD.

Risk Factors of COPD

• If you are or had been a smoker
• Frequent exposure to second-hand smoke
• Frequent exposure to air pollution
• Frequent exposure to workplace fumes

6 Telling Signs of COPD

1. Persistence of a cough. Often times it is more persistent in the morning and similar with “smoker’s cough” because of the mucus that accompanies a cough.
2. An uptick in mucus is likely a symptom of the lungs attempt to keep out inhaled particles. Some mucus is always normal to keep airways lubricated, but COPD could bring on 3 times the healthy amount.
3. Breathlessness is a more serious symptom that the lungs are not functioning correctly.
4. Wheezing or whistling that accompanies breathing is the result of obstructed airways from irritation. This may be a sign of inflammation or something more serious, such as the spread of infection to the lungs.
5. Tiredness or fatigue is associated with later stages of COPD due to the extra strain from shortness of breath and wheezing.
6. The frequency of flair ups that tend to get worse with each episode is an indicator of worsening COPD. With each flare up the damage, the lungs sustain is increasing and making symptoms more severe.

How to Handle COPD Symptoms

Your physician should give you an action plan for handling flair ups also known as, COPD Exacerbation (a period of worsening of the lung disease where symptoms seem worse).  The plan usually calls for medication to help with shortness of breath, coughing, and other health complications accompanying the COPD.  The physician may just call for an increased dose of whatever medications the patient is already taking. Possible medications to alleviate symptoms may include short-acting bronchodilators, antibiotics, and oral corticosteroids.

Self-care forms of treatment for COPD include physical exercise to strengthen the lungs, quitting smoking, and diaphragmatic breathing.  Diaphragmatic breathing or belly breathing is using the abdominal cavity to breathe by expanding the lungs in this lower cavity. This is the most efficient form of breathing and will be helpful when experiencing shortness of breath.

The patient can undergo oxygen therapy, to provide the body with more oxygen for the lungs to function more effectively.  Pulmonary rehabilitation is another therapy that covers exercise, nutritional counseling, and further education to best aid someone with COPD.

It is important to remember, after Stage I full recovery may not be a viable goal to have.  There is currently no cure and the damage to the lungs cannot be undone, but the following goals are attainable:

• Preventing the progression of the disease.
• Alleviating the symptoms.
• Increasing personal tolerance of exercise.
• Improving the quality of life.
• Preventing and treating allying health complications.
• Increasing life expectancy.