COPD can develop among individuals exposed to secondhand smoke or working around irritants such as chemical fumes or dust. Genetic conditions like alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency may also contribute.
COPD is a progressive condition, and symptoms often worsen over time. If your symptoms seem to worsen over time, this could be a telltale sign that COPD flare-up or exacerbation has begun.
Signs of COPD Getting Worse
1. Shortness of Breath
Breathing should be an effortless process, making any difficulty breathing an alarming sign of COPD progression or worsening. Shortness of breath is one of the first indicators that may signal it is worsening or progressing further.
Early in their condition, people may not notice that breathing becomes harder. Some may dismiss early symptoms as just part of aging or asthma and fail to seek medical advice for it.
As this condition advances, it causes your lungs to become inflamed and produce more mucus, making breathing harder than before and narrowing airways leading to wheezing – an audible high-pitched sound associated with breathing.
If your wheezing becomes louder and more frequent, that may be an indicator that COPD has worsened. Your doctor can confirm your diagnosis with a chest X-ray; other tests might include checking oxygen levels in blood samples; electrocardiography (ECG) to measure heart function; or lung function tests.
2. Changes in Phlegm
Phlegm accumulation can be used as an indicator that COPD symptoms have worsened or progressed further, and may present as dry or itchy patches with yellowish or green hues. If this symptom appears, please see your physician immediately for treatment.
COPD causes lung damage that restricts airflow. As this is a progressive condition, its severity often worsens over time if smoking continues or other lung irritants come into contact with your system.
COPD symptoms consist primarily of coughing and breathing difficulties caused by emphysema and chronic bronchitis, with coughing and breathing difficulties due to these illnesses being the hallmarks of COPD.
Emphysema damages destroy walls of tiny air sacs in your lungs, permanently widening them; chronic bronchitis causes inflamed lung lining to produce excess mucus production. COPD symptoms usually manifest themselves gradually over time during what’s called exacerbations periods where breathing difficulty increases temporarily over several days or longer periods – typically after prolonged exposure to lung irritants like cigarettes, air pollution or chemical fumes at work.
3. Increased Chest Pain
As COPD advances, you may notice an increase in chest pain as your damaged lungs work harder to get oxygen into your bloodstream and strain your heart, leading to further cardiovascular issues, including high blood pressure.
Your phlegm (mucus that clings to your airways), may change from its usual color. When yellow or green phlegm appears, this could indicate COPD flare-ups – periods in which symptoms worsen rapidly for no clear reason – sometimes within hours or days.
If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s essential that you speak to your physician as soon as possible.
They will ask questions, perform a physical exam and lung function test (spirometry), prescribe quick-relief inhalers (with or without steroids or antibiotics) as well as anti-inflammatory medication if necessary, recommend lifestyle adjustments and suggest quick relief medications (quick relief inhalers for example), quick relief inhalers as well as possible solutions in order to ease symptoms as well as recommend diet and lifestyle modifications as ways of slowing progression of COPD.
4. Increased Fatigue
Feeling worn-out or extra tired can be a telltale sign that your COPD condition is progressing or worsening, since more energy goes toward breathing. Furthermore, feeling lethargic or feeling as though something’s amiss could also indicate this development or worsening of your condition.
Fatigue may also be caused by edema, the retention of fluid in ankles, legs and feet that leads to weight gain of 15 pounds or more. Its causes include inadequate oxygen reaching blood cells; inflammation in lungs; high pressure on lung vessels from COPD; and insufficient blood flow reaching all parts of body.
Meeting with your doctor to diagnose COPD and assess its symptoms is the key to understanding your disease and monitoring any changes that might arise.
They’ll review your medical history, symptoms and physical exam – they might even perform a lung function test called Spirometry to check lung function – they might ask about lifestyle habits and medications you take too; and may advise against smoking and drinking alcohol while also encouraging eating plenty of fruits and vegetables for maximum wellness.
Here Are Some Lifestyle Changes That Can Help Manage COPD Symptoms:
Check out these lifestyle adjustments that can aid in the management of COPD symptoms:
- Kick the smoking habit: Abandoning the vice of smoking stands as the paramount lifestyle alteration in successfully managing COPD symptoms. Smoking remains the primary culprit behind COPD and putting an end to this habit can effectively impede the progression of the disease.
- Engage in regular exercise: Regular physical activity holds the power to enhance lung function and alleviate breathlessness. Your healthcare provider might suggest a pulmonary rehabilitation program encompassing exercise, an integral part of a holistic treatment regimen.
- Foster a healthy diet: Nurturing a wholesome diet serves to fortify your body and bolster your immune system. Particularly if you are grappling with advanced COPD, consuming frequent, smaller meals may prove advantageous.
- Steer clear of lung irritants: Vigilantly avoiding lung irritants such as dust particles and chemical fumes can serve as a preventive measure against COPD exacerbations. If you encounter such irritants frequently at your workplace, it is wise to engage in a dialogue with your supervisor regarding possible modifications to your working environment, such as donning a protective mask.
- Prioritize vaccinations: Safeguarding your lungs against further harm involves evading infections like pneumonia and influenza. Opting for an annual flu shot during the cold and flu season, in addition to receiving the pneumococcal vaccine, is the most effective means to achieve this objective.
- Practice impeccable hygiene: Routinely washing your hands and minimizing close contact with individuals harboring respiratory infections are effective strategies for reducing your susceptibility to illness.
- Adhere to your prescribed medications: Faithfully following the medication regimen outlined by your doctor, even if you feel better, is vital. These medications play a pivotal role in managing symptoms and averting exacerbations.
- Prepare for unforeseen emergencies: Familiarize yourself with the signs of a COPD flare-up and formulate a plan of action should you experience one. Severe flare-ups can potentially be life-threatening, necessitating immediate medical attention if you encounter symptoms such as chest pain, bluish lips or fingers, confusion, or extreme breathlessness.
- Attend to your emotional well-being: Individuals living with incapacitating ailments such as COPD occasionally find themselves grappling with anxiety, stress, or depression. It is imperative to openly discuss any emotional challenges with your doctor or healthcare provider, as they can prescribe suitable medications to aid in coping with these issues.
By implementing these lifestyle modifications, you can effectively manage COPD symptoms and enhance your overall quality of life. Collaborating closely with your doctor to devise a comprehensive treatment plan encompassing lifestyle changes, medications, and other relevant therapies is of utmost importance.
What Are Some Medications Used to Treat COPD
Numerous medications exist to alleviate the distressing symptoms associated with COPD. Let us delve into some of the most prevalent types employed for the treatment of this condition:
– Bronchodilators: Aiding in the relaxation of airway muscles, these medications facilitate effortless breathing. Two categories of bronchodilators prevail: short-acting and long-acting. The former promptly alleviates unforeseen symptoms, while the latter serves to stave off their occurrence. Noteworthy examples encompass albuterol, ipratropium, tiotropium, and formoterol.
– Corticosteroids: By mitigating airway inflammation, these medications foster improved respiration. Typically prescribed alongside long-acting bronchodilators, corticosteroids can be administered via inhalation, injection, or orally. Inhaled corticosteroids are taken routinely to avert symptom manifestation, while oral corticosteroids are reserved for short-term usage when symptoms exacerbate suddenly. Prominent corticosteroid illustrations consist of fluticasone, budesonide, and prednisone.
– Phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors: Employed for the treatment of severe COPD and chronic bronchitis, these medications curb lung inflammation while ameliorating breathing difficulties. Roflumilast exemplifies a phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor.
– Combination inhalers: These inhalers unite a bronchodilator with an inhaled corticosteroid within a single entity. Used regularly to avert symptom occurrence, they present as efficacious alternatives. Illustrative instances encompass fluticasone/salmeterol and budesonide/formoterol.
– Theophylline: A bronchodilator utilized alongside another medication, it serves to tackle severe COPD. Functioning as an anti-inflammatory agent and relaxant for airway muscles, Theophylline may be ingested daily as either a pill or liquid.
– Antibiotics: Temporarily prescribed, these medications combat bacterial infections that trigger COPD flare-ups.
Collaborating with your physician to devise an inclusive treatment regimen, inclusive of pharmaceuticals, lifestyle adjustments, and supplementary therapies, is of paramount importance. Properly administering the appropriate medication at the precise time fosters effective symptom management and an enhanced quality of life.
