The Symptoms of COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive condition that makes it difficult for individuals who suffer from it to breathe. In COPD, one or more of the following have occurred, which makes it difficult to breathe: the airways and air sacs have lost their elasticity, the airways make an abnormally high amount of mucus, which tends to clog them, the walls between a lot of the air sacs have been destroyed, and/or the walls of the airways are swollen. When the airways or air sacs are destroyed or blocked in some fashion, an individual cannot get as much air into or out of his or her lungs, which makes breathing more difficult.

Given that COPD is progressive, the earlier your doctor can diagnose the condition, the better chance you will have for long-term lung function. It is also important for individuals who have been diagnosed with the condition to recognize when their COPD symptoms have changed in order to alert their doctors and decide on a proper course of treatment as the condition progresses.

Early COPD signs often vary from one person to another; however, you may notice your sputum changing color, bloody sputum, an increase or decrease in the amount of sputum you produce, your sputum becoming more or less sticky, ankle swelling, decreased interest in sex, unexplained weight changes, sleeping difficulties, and an increase in the number of morning headaches you experience. Sputum is a mixture of saliva and mucus, which is produced by the respiratory tract.

Additionally, according National Jewish Health, other symptoms of COPD include: sleeping in a chair or with more pillows in order to avoid breathing difficulties, persistent lack of energy or fatigue, slurring of speech, dizziness, an increased severity in coughing, shortness of breath, and/or wheezing, confusion, forgetfulness, and a general feeling of being unwell. According to WebMD, individuals suffering from very severe COPD, may also notice these COPD sings: blue skin, especially around the fingers, toes, and lips, a bloated abdomen, and edema or fluid in the feet and legs.

Of course, some things can make COPD symptoms worse. Things that may make the symptoms of COPD worse include cough suppressants, including codeine, increasing the liter flow of oxygen, taking extra doses of theophyline, using over-the-counter nasal sprays for more than three days, and smoking. It is best to avoid these things whenever possible.

If you are suffering from the symptoms of COPD listed above or if your COPD symptoms change, you should call your doctor to assess your breathing difficulties and decide on an appropriate course of treatment.

Sources:

National Institute of Health: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Diseases and Conditions Index: COPD:

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html

National Jewish Health: COPD:

http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/copd/symptoms.aspx

WebMD: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Symptoms:

http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd-symptoms?page=2