Some symptoms present in the beginning while others worsen over time.
Early Signs
Early signs of COPD include noticeable changes in how you breathe.
You may notice feeling winded or getting short of breath, especially with physical activity.
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An ongoing cough or coughing up a lot of mucus are also common.
Progressive COPD
As COPD progresses and gets worse, symptoms become more frequent and severe.
Shortness of breath can occur at rest even without increased demands from physical activity.
You may also experience chest tightness and fatigue from having to try harder to breathe.
Additional symptoms of COPD exacerbations include:
What Causes COPD?
COPD is triggered by long-term exposure to irritants that inflame and damage the lungs and airways.
The most common cause of COPD is cigarette smoking, although exposure to environmental pollution can also cause COPD.
Factors that increase your risk of developing COPD include:
How Is COPD Diagnosed?
An official COPD diagnosis is made through a breathing test called spirometry.
Spirometryis apulmonary function testthat examines how well your lungs are working.
This will calculate yourforced expiratory volume (FEV1).
A diagnosis of COPD is made if your FEV1 is less than 80%.
Consider joining an in-person or online smoking cessation program to help.
These include drugs like long-acting beta 2 agonists (LABAs) and long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs).
The lower your BODE Index, the better your prognosis.
COPD Support and Resources
You shouldn’t have to go through living with COPD alone.
Regular exercise, in particular, can help improve your breathing and lung function and overall health.
American Lung Association.COPD causes and risk factors.
COPD Foundation.Stages of COPD.
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American Lung Association.Surgery for COPD.
