Increase In Mucus and Change In Color...A change in the mucus produced by the lungs is a very common symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Mucus may also be called phlegm or sputum.Healthy lungs produce...
Imaging Tests...During testing for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), “spirometry” tests are always used to measure a person’s ability to breathe. Spirometry measurements are the main way that healthcare providers can...
Lung Function Blood Tests...If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), at some point your doctor will typically use tests to diagnose or understand disease progression. One category of these tests is called...
Lung Function Breathing Tests...Breathing tests play a key role in finding out if a person has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These tests can also be used to find out the stage of...
Diagnosing COPD...A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) diagnosis is the first step in managing the disease and preventing further lung damage. A COPD diagnosis is typically based on 3 things: Your...
Severe Symptoms of COPD...People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) sometimes have severe symptoms. These symptoms are “severe” because they can be a sign of serious problems and need to be treated right...
Morning Headaches...Morning headaches are a symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) for many people living with the condition. These can happen for anyone who has COPD, but morning headaches tends...
Fever...Fevers are a natural response that can help the body fight off infections. For people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), fever may be a sign of more serious problems...
Blueness of the Lips or Fingernail Beds...People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) can have blueness of the lips or fingernail beds. This occurs due to a lack of oxygen in the blood, impairing the body’s...
Weight Loss...Many people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have trouble with losing too much weight. It is very important for people with COPD to have a healthy body weight for...
Lower Muscle Endurance...It is very common for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to have symptoms that affect their muscles. These symptoms usually develop slowly over time as the disease progresses...
Fatigue...Everyone feels tired from time to time throughout the day. However, for some people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tiredness can be overwhelming and make it difficult to accomplish...
Swelling...People with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have swelling in their ankles, legs, and feet. This kind of swelling is not caused directly by COPD. However, there are complications...
Chest Tightness...Chest tightness is a common symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The sensation of a tight chest may feel different for different people. Chest tightness may feel like: Chest...
Wheezing...Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common causes of wheezing in adults. Wheezing is a term used to describe a high-pitched whistling sound that can happen...
Shortness of Breath...Shortness of breath is a common symptom of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Two conditions make up COPD: chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Both can cause shortness of breath. Shortness of...
Persistent Cough...Coughing is a normal reaction our bodies use to clear irritants or mucus from the lungs. But sometimes coughing can be a sign of other problems. A cough that does...
COPD Symptoms...Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may cause different symptoms for different people. A person’s symptoms will also likely change as the disease progresses. Some symptoms can also serve as a...
COPD Myths and Misconceptions...There are many myths about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and how it affects the lives of people who live with it. Knowing what is factual and what is not...
Directions for Future Research...Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects the lives of many millions of people around the world. Researcher and scientists have made huge steps in understanding the disease and how to...