COPD Symptoms
COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is used to describe any condition that affects your ability to breathe. This can include asthma, bronchitis and emphysema. There are some symptoms that are present in all cases of COPD, and others that are specific to a condition.
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Shortness of Breath
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With any type of COPD you will experience shortness of breath. This often becomes worse the more physically active you are. In more severe cases you may notice that you have trouble catching your breath even when speaking.
Coughing and Wheezing Sounds
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If you have COPD, you probably have a persistent cough. With some types of COPD this cough produces mucus, and in other cases it is a dry cough. You may also notice a whistling or wheezing sound when you are breathing.
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Generalized Symptoms
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When you have COPD you may have periods where you feel chest pain and tightness. You may feel fatigued and have trouble sleeping. There may also be unexplained weight change.
Symptoms of Severe COPD
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In severe cases you may have bluish lips or fingernails because of low oxygen levels in your blood. There may also be swelling in the legs, ankles and feet. Your heart rate may become very fast and you may not feel mentally alert.
Causes
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The most common cause for COPD is smoking. COPD can also occur due to exposure to irritants and pollution in the air or exposure to strong chemicals. All of these can create a blockage and damage to your airway, which narrows the passageways the air needs to travel through.
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