The early warning signs of COPD are shortness of breath, wheezing or chest tightness, cough that can bring up sputum also known as phlegm or mucus, fatigue or tiredness and reoccurring lung infections such as acute bronchitis or pneumonia.
The 4 stage of COPD are.
Stage I (early)
Stage II (Moderate)
Stage III (Severe)
Stage IV (Very Severe)
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, refers to a group of diseases that cause airflow blockage and breathing-related problems.
It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
COPD makes your breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have this disease.
The exact length of time you can live with COPD depends on your age, health, and symptoms.
Especially if your COPD is diagnosed early, if you have mild stage COPD, and your disease is well managed and controlled, you may be able to live for 10 or even 20 years after diagnosis.
Keep indoor air clean. Reducing air pollution in the home can also help a person cope with COPD.
Certain products can trigger a flare or worsen their symptoms.
If you're assisting with the housekeeping, don't use strong scented cleaning products around your loved one, especially if there's poor ventilation.
Although COPD is terminal, people may not always die of the condition directly, or of oxygen deprivation.
Some people with COPD have other medical conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease.
In fact, within 5 years of diagnosis, COPD is also an independent risk factor for sudden cardiac death.
COPD is A lung disease that blocks a persons airflow which makes it difficult for the person with COPD to breathe.
Symptoms of COPD are, Shortness of breath, Tightness In The Chest, Constant Clearing your Throat first thing in the morning because of excess mucus built up inside your lungs, Chronic coughs with or without mucus that is clear white, greenish or even yellow and even wheezing.
You may also experience a dry cough or constant fatigue along with COPD.
COPD needs to be treated by a doctor as if not treated COPD can become life threatening.
If you have COPD you'll likely start using an inhaler for the lung condition.