How is an exacerbation like?
Hello, I'm having a hard time understanding what an exacerbation is like; does it come gradually over the days, or it happens out of nowhere in a sudden manner? My dad had been smoking for 42 years, 3 years ago he developed a chronic cough that got worse over time, and this year he started having quite severe shortness of breath after coming from the grocerie store near our house. He said his lungs were fine and a month ago, one wednesday morning, he seemed fine and out of nowhere started having shortness of breath, mom called emergency, it took 10-15 minutes for doctors to arrive, it seemed dad had low oxygen levels and nothing helped so he passed away. He had been having sleep issues a week prior, so I don't know if the exacerbation started gradually a week before, or it was that morning... We didn't know he had COPD
Hi again, Question123 - I am sorry that you have lost your dad to this condition. I remember you posted something similar about your loss and dad's condition earlier in the month and my colleague,, and I were conversing then.
To answer your question about exacerbations - these 'flare-ups' tend to be acute worsening of one's symptoms and/or condition. They can come on rather suddenly or, change over several days. Exacerbations, and how they affect each patient, can vary considerably from patient to patient.
We do have some material, published right here on COPD.net, which focuses on this very topic. I thought your might find the information to be helpful for you. Here is a link to but one of the articles: https://copd.net/living/exacerbations.
Should you be interested in additional information, please let me or any other moderator / team member know. I do hope you find this to be helpful in a practical way.
Again, I am sorry for the loss of your dear father.
Warm regards,
Leon (site moderator COPD.net)my so sorry about your dad. I lost my mom the day after Thanksgiving. It wasn't COPD related. But I feel your pain. God bless you and your family. Stay strong
