Hi Kathy, and thanks for your post and your question - it's a good one! Some doctors manage this disease with their patients by following a staging system. This system classifies the four stages based on symptoms and test results related to COPD. However, nowadays there are recent changes to the way the disease is classified.
Have you been diagnosed with COPD? Have you had an opportunity to discuss this concern with your physician?
If we can assist you with anything else, please let me or any other moderator / team member know.
Wishing you well,
Leon (site moderator)