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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-term (chronic) condition that affects the lungs. COPD is a general term that can be used to describe many different lung problems that cause lung swelling (inflammation) and limit airflow, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. If you have COPD, your lung function will probably never return to normal. In most cases it gets worse over time. However there are steps you can take to slow the progression of the disease and improve your quality of life.
How to spot COPD flare-ups
Many COPD flare-ups are due to an infection. They can put you at risk of hospitalization.
Learn how to spot them early on.
COPD flare-ups: How to spot trouble
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), symptom flare-ups could put you in the hospital. However, knowing the warning signs of a flare-up can help you take action to protect your health.
Learn how to spot a flare-up.
Head symptoms:
- Fever.
- Confusion.
Throat symptoms:
- Increased mucus.
- Mucus that is yellow, green, tan or bloody.
Chest symptoms:
- Wheezing or increased wheezing.
- Increased coughing.
- Increased shortness of breath.
- Shallow or rapid breathing that's worse than usual.
Feet/ankle symptoms:
- Swelling in your feet or ankles.
Avoiding flare-ups:
- Don't smoke. And avoid other triggers, like pollution and dust or fumes at work.
- See your doctor and dentist regularly, even when you feel fine.
- Get a flu shot every year.
- Ask a healthcare provider about pneumonia and pertussis shots.
- Avoid crowds during cold and flu season to lower your risk of infection.
- Drink plenty of water to help keep mucus thin and prevent it from building up in your lungs.
- Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitizer to keep germs away.
- Brush your teeth twice a day.
- Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose to prevent infection.
- Get plenty of sleep, because you're more likely to get sick when you're tired.
Handling a flare-up:
As soon as you experience signs of a COPD flare-up, contact a healthcare provider. He or she may be able to prescribe medications to prevent hospitalization.
Sources: American Lung Association; American Thoracic Society; COPD Foundation
Sources
- American Lung Association. "Nutrition and COPD." https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/nutrition#:~:text=Nutrition%20and%20COPD-,Nutrition%20and%20COPD,-The%20right%20mix.
- American Lung Association. "Prevent COPD Exacerbations or Flare Ups." https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/prevent-flare-ups.
- COPD Foundation. "What is an Exacerbation or Flare Up?" https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-New-to-COPD/What-is-an-Exacerbation.aspx.
- American Thoracic Society. "Exacerbation of COPD." https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/copd-exacerbation-ecopd.pdf.
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Seeing a Provider
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Better Breathers Club
A support group for people living with pulmonary disease. Meets from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the 3rd Monday of each month in Iredell Health System's Outpatient Services Building community classroom, 739 Hartness Road, Statesville, NC. No registration required.
Pulmonary Rehab
A physician referral is required, but services include:
- individualized exercise training
- nutritional counseling
- education and management of lung disease
- energy conserving techniques
- breathing strategies
- psychological counseling and or support groups
- tobacco cessation
- strategies to improve activities of daily living
Read information about the services and requirements.
For more information on COPD
Visit the CDC website.