Signs And Symptoms Of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition that causes long-term breathing difficulties. It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Most patients have both of these illnesses. In the United States, there are roughly sixteen million individuals with this condition. Smoking is the main cause. Doctors can use chest x-rays, CT scans, lung function tests, and arterial blood gas tests to diagnose this condition.

Many patients will take their medication through prescription inhalers for COPD. Every patient wants the best inhaler for COPD, though this may vary. Bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, and theophylline are some options. There are also specific medications for emphysema patients available. Patients may also look at herbal remedies for COPD. However, all treatment begins with identifying the symptoms and reaching a diagnosis.

Shortness Of Breath

Medically known as dyspnea, shortness of breath is the feeling of not getting enough air into the lungs. It can feel as though the patient is suffocating, and it may be very frightening. For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, shortness of breath is especially likely during exercise. If shortness of breath occurs with chest pain, nausea, or fainting, the patient should receive emergency medical care.

Doctors evaluate dyspnea by listening to the patient's lung sounds with a stethoscope. They may also perform pulse oximetry and lung function tests. Chest x-rays, CT scans, and blood tests might be recommended. Some patients will need to have an electrocardiogram. Shortness of breath may be treated with medications and supplemental oxygen. However, the chosen treatment will depend on the severity of the patient's symptoms. Hospital treatment could be necessary for patients with severe shortness of breath.

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Lack Of Energy

Many patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease experience a lack of energy, which can make it difficult to exercise and do household chores. For example, patients might feel tired after a short walk, and they could struggle with cleaning the house, washing clothes, or cooking. Simple household changes may make it easier to complete everyday tasks while dealing with low energy. It can be beneficial to store frequently used items together on a low shelf or in another easy to reach location. Using poles with long handles may make it easier to get items stored on higher shelves, and using carts with wheels could reduce the strain of moving items.

Climbing the stairs can be particularly exhausting for chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder patients. It might be worthwhile to consider adding ramps to the home to minimize their usage of stairs. Individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease who have bedrooms on the second story of their home may benefit from moving their bedroom to the first floor. Patients should allow extra time to complete activities. They should see their doctor if they notice rapid or concerning decreases in their energy levels. At times, certain household tasks or errands may be too exhausting for a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient. In these cases, the patient may need to ask for help from family, friends, or home health aides.

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Cough And Wheezing

It is very common for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients to have a cough and wheezing. Most individuals with this condition have a persistent cough, and they may cough up a significant amount of clear, white, yellow, or green mucus (sputum). The cough associated with this condition is also called 'smoker's cough.' Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease could notice a whistling or squeaky sound as they breathe. This sound is known as wheezing, and it can happen when an individual inhales or exhales.

Wheezing is a sign that the airways have tightened and narrowed. As air passes through a narrowed airway, it vibrates the airway walls, producing the whistling noise. Wheezing can occur if the airways are clogged with mucus. It could also develop when the airways are swollen or inflamed from pollution, cigarette smoke, or other irritants. Bronchospasms and respiratory infections are other common causes of wheezing for individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Some patients experience wheezing that comes and goes throughout the day, and they may have days with no wheezing at all. Chest tightness and shortness of breath tend to occur in conjunction with wheezing.

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Tightness In The Chest

For chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients, tightness in the chest usually occurs due to respiratory infections, bronchospasms, or airway obstruction. Respiratory infections that involve the lower portion of the respiratory system are especially likely to cause chest tightness. Flu, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, and tuberculosis are some of the respiratory infections associated with this symptom.

Tightness in the chest feels different for each patient. Some patients describe it as a feeling of stiffness in the chest. For other patients, it could feel as though someone is sitting on their chest. It may also feel like their chest is being squeezed. Tightness in the chest that feels worse than usual may be a symptom of an acute exacerbation of this condition. Patients who experience this symptom should contact their doctor for advice. Breathing techniques, pulmonary rehabilitation, and exercise training may be used in combination with inhaled bronchodilators and other medicines to manage tightness in the chest.

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Regular Respiratory Infections

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease makes it more difficult to clear pollutants and bacteria from the lungs. Thus, patients with this condition will likely have regular respiratory infections. Doctors recommend that chronic obstructive disease patients get vaccinated for the flu and pneumonia to reduce their infection risk. Patients should also wash their hands frequently, and it is important to avoid air pollution and pollen. Since dust can irritate the lungs, patients are advised to keep their homes as clean as possible.

The patient's doctor should be contacted at the earliest sign of a potential respiratory infection. Early warning signs for these infections include increases in mucus production, worsening shortness of breath, and increased wheezing. Patients in the early stages of a respiratory infection could develop a fever and experience pain while swallowing. Their throat may feel sore, and headaches or nasal congestion may be present. Although individuals with these symptoms might not feel sick, a doctor should still be contacted right away so that any necessary treatment can begin as soon as possible.