Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a chronic lung disease that impacts airflow in and out of your lungs. As a result, patients with COPD often feel out of breath. If you’re not familiar with the symptoms of COPD, it can be hard to discern whether you've overdone it with physical activity, are dealing with a cough, or need to see a doctor.
Due to restricted airflow, patients with COPD may feel like they are breathing through a straw. This can lead to fatigue and may interfere with daily activities like walking, talking, or completing chores.
Initially, COPD symptoms may be so mild that you don’t notice them at all. But this disease is progressive, meaning the symptoms will worsen as time goes on.
Here are some of the most common symptoms of COPD:
In addition to becoming worse over time, COPD symptoms can also flare up occasionally. This means that some days, your symptoms may feel more manageable than normal.
Most COPD symptoms are also signs of other conditions. For example, breathlessness could be a symptom of increased physical activity. A cough could mean you have a cold or the flu. So how do you know when is the right time to talk to your doctor?
If you’re experiencing symptoms related to COPD, consider the factors surrounding them. If you frequently feel out of breath but can’t attribute it to weight gain or increased activity, you should talk to your doctor. Similarly, if your cough is chronic—lasting more than eight weeks—that is also cause for concern.
In short, if your symptoms are persistent enough to affect your daily life, reach out to your doctor for a proper diagnosis.
If you’re having difficulty managing a chronic health condition and leaving home is a challenge,
Certain factors put some people at a higher risk of developing COPD. Here are some of the most common risk factors:
If you have any of these risk factors, it’s important to reach out to your doctor as soon as you notice symptoms.
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