Warning Signs of COPD You Should Watch Out For

COPD is a condition in which the lungs are damaged to the point of being unable to draw in enough oxygen to supply the body with. More common in smokers or former smokers than in other people, COPD is still not entirely a picky disease. COPD can affect anyone, and knowing the warning signs of COPD can help you get on track to handling the condition before COPD handles you. Left untreated, COPD can be fatal.

Yes, smoking is a leading cause of COPD, but frequenting certain conditions (such as in dusty or asbestos-infested conditions, like farming or construction) can cause COPD as well. COPD can also afflict a person who has had chronic bronchitis and caused irreparable damage to their lungs. COPD stands for 'Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease' and cannot be cured.

Warning signs of COPD involve how a person breathes. Since COPD is the 4th leading cause of death in America, then it's important to watch for these signs. Shortness of breath is a common COPD symptom. If suddenly you run out of breath doing simple things that normally would not cause you to breathe heavier (like going up the stairs or crossing the hall), then COPD may be a concern. Don't assume you are getting short of breath because of age or being out of shape- if you can't draw in a deep breath when you are short of breath, or you are avoiding certain activities so you don't feel out of breath, then pay heed to this red flag- COPD cannot be reversed, but it an be slowed down and treated if you pay attention to a warning sign so simple as shortness of breath where it should not be.

If you cough all the time, or are getting a worsening cough with no other signs of illness, then COPD may be a concern. A chronic cough that lasts more than a few weeks can be damaging to your lungs and be a sign of COPD. Pay attention to any mucous you may be coughing up- if it's any other color but clear, then you may be in trouble. See your doctor about any cough that won't go away, because bronchitis can even turn into COPD from irreparable lung damage.

If you wake up every morning with a headache, it could mean that you are not breathing deeply enough at night and carbon dioxide has pooled up in your brain, causing a headache. COPD can be the culprit behind these nasty dull headaches in the morning as your lungs aren't giving you enough oxygen while you are sleeping. Pay attention to lighteheadedness and dizziness as well during the early morning as lack of oxygen causes these symptoms as well.

Swollen ankles is another COPD warning sign. It's a dangerous warning sign, as COPD as it progresses starts to affect the circulatory system, meaning the heart isn't getting enough oxygen to pump fluids, so they pool around the ankles. Swollen ankles, along with shortness of breath and other COPD symptoms, can mean that your lungs are failing you.

Particularly if you smoke or work around lung irritants, you need to watch out for the warning signs of COPD. The sooner COPD is diagnosed, the sooner it can be treated, as left untreated COPD can be fatal. If you have any issues with breathing, then see your doctor, because while COPD may or may not be the cause, you don't want to take any chances. Treated, COPD can be slowed down, even if it can't be reversed.