COPD Symptoms: Discover the classic COPD symptoms here

COPD Symptoms

What are COPD Symptoms

Before we talk about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), we need to
define it. COPD and COPD symptoms are widespread and affect millions of people
around the world. It is the fourth leading cause of death worldwide. Basically,
COPD symptoms manifest or are characterized as a person's inability to exhale or
breathe out within a normal time limit.

You see, their airways are "obstructed" which reduces the flow of air out of the lungs,
and thus, the air becomes trapped in the lungs. Sadly, COPD is not reversible. Once
you have it, you have it for the rest of your life. It is also progressive which means the
disease worsens over time. So once you have it, the COPD symptoms will be with
you for a lifetime. Inflamed airways are one of several COPD symptoms that
become worse the longer you smoke.

What Causes COPD Symptoms

Okay, now we have a basic understanding of COPD. But what causes COPD and
COPD symptoms? Smoking is the number one cause of COPD. Sure there are
other exposures like pollution and exposure to biomass fuels, but the primary risk
factor is smoking. There is a genetic form of COPD called alpha 1 anti-trypsin
disorder, but we'll focus our attention on the smoking related COPD here. In 2005,
the CDC reported that smoking caused 75% of all COPD deaths. Sadly, the death
rate from COPD continues to rise every year as the smoking rates by state remain
high.

COPD Symptoms and Asthma

Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are the two primary diseases found within this
"class" of disease called COPD. Asthma, although sharing many similarities and
symptoms with COPD, is not included in this class because it can be reversed. In
other words, a person with asthma, may not have permanent lung damage, like is
seen with COPD. Asthma is also not a progressive disease. In fact, children
diagnosed with asthma may grow into adulthood and experience very minimal
asthma related symptoms. It used to be commonplace for people to say that kids
could "grow out of their asthma". Despite these marked differences, many of the
treatments are the same since many of the symptoms manifested are the same -
like bronchospasm, coughing, etc.

Symptoms of COPD

Here is a list of COPD symptoms that are commonly experienced

Chronic cough
Shortness of breath that becomes progressive
Wheezing sounds when breathing
Repeated episodes of bronchitis
Frequent respiratory infections
Sudden increase in or difficulty in clearing mucous
Shortness of breath when laying flat at bedtime

Chronic cough and secretion clearing problems can precede the development of
COPD in some people and may be a useful signpost for those people before other
symptoms of COPD become a major health problem. However, COPD may advance
on people without such tell-tale markers. My dad who was never diagnosed with
COPD (after smoking for over 30 years), had a chronic cough in the morning. It was
very troubling to him as he felt like he just could not remove the phlegm in his throat.

When COPD symptoms start appearing, physicians may take chest x-rays and
blood samples, but the gold-standard test in called the pulmonary function test.
This actually measures the flow of air coming in and out of the lungs and can tell the
doctor how much obstruction is present. Today, most people with COPD end up
performing this test early on in their disease process as doctors look to curtail the
progression of COPD by looking for it in at-risk patients. Of course, those at-risk for
developing COPD symptoms are smokers.

It is important to remember that COPD is a progressive disease and the symptoms
of COPD can be slowed by immediately quitting smoking. The earlier someone
quits smoking, the less damage and fewer COPD symptoms they will have. Since
the disease cannot be reversed, one shouldn't expect normal, healthy lungs after
quitting smoking. Rather, they should expect a slower progression of symptoms
moving forward. This could be the difference between traveling the world in
retirement or wearing oxygen and being confined to your home. So stop smoking
earlier than later if you want to limit the severity of COPD symptoms.

COPD Treatment and Symptoms

The treatment plan depends a lot on how far the disease has progressed. There
are 4 stages to assist physicians in their treatment plans. These stages are
categorized on the severity of COPD symptoms and airflow measured.

		The first treatment is simply *avoidance*. Remove the exposure that is
		causing the COPD - aka: stop smoking

		The second treatment is to use a quick acting inhaler that widens or dilates
		the narrow airways. This medication is called a short acting bronchodilator. The most common medication in this class is known generically as *albuterol*.

		The third treatment is to add a long acting bronchodilator medication.
		*Tiotropium* is a popular one used for COPD patients. The doctor may also add inhaled steroids if the person is having frequent COPD symptoms like increasing episodes of shortness of breath. Pulmonary rehab may also be a consideration at this point.

		The fourth treatment is to add long term *oxygen* *therapy*. The patient may
		wear it as needed, only at night, or perhaps 24 hours a day.

These are only examples of the possible treatments available to treat COPD
symptoms. Remember,it is impossible to treat the disease itself because it is not
reversible. Patients should always consult their physician for specific treatment
plans designed specifically for them and the COPD symptoms they are personally
experiencing.

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Detecting the Early Symptoms of COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is one of the most avoidable diseases known, as it is mostly acquired by tobacco smoking. Every one of the thousands of COPD patients we've treated over the years smoked cigarettes. Each one regretted smoking and wished they had never started in the first place. If only someone had told them when they were younger.

We hope to catch patients early, long before COPD becomes debilitating. One thought, is to screen patients for COPD. This can be a double edged sword because a patient may not want to quit if they show no early signs of COPD and continue to smoke. However, if they do show signs of COPD, they may think it's too late to stop and keep smoking. You just never know how people will respond. The other question is whether we can devise an effective prescreening program.

A recent study hoped to answer that second question. The researchers concluded that prescreening was easy to perform. But the question remains if patients will respond by quitting smoking. If the process works as it is hoped, that we could see a dramatic reduction in COPD symptoms and disease over the next 20 years.