UNDERSTANDING COPD

What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
Understanding COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is important in finding the best treatment for you. COPD is a group of lung diseases that makes it harder to breathe. COPD is also progressive, which means it can worsen over time.
Talk to your doctor about treatment and lifestyle changes that may help you manage your condition. If you’d like some help with the conversation, get the free guide.
COPD Stages

COPD can be mild, moderate, or severe.
To make this determination, your doctor will examine you, give you a breathing test (spirometry), and assess your medical history. Based on the amount of limited airflow from your breathing test, your doctor will see where you fall in the GOLD* classification and determine your COPD severity. There are 4 grades or stages in the GOLD classification, with 4 being the most severe. Your doctor will also evaluate your symptoms and previous flare-ups to determine where you stand with your COPD.
*GOLD stands for Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.
Visit COPD.com to learn more about COPD stages.
Symptoms & Flare-ups
Recognizing COPD symptoms
You probably know the COPD symptoms that are normal for you. But did you know that they can evolve or change over time? And sometimes they can be hard to recognize as COPD. Why? Because people may mistake symptoms for “getting older” in general. Or assume a symptom is caused by weight gain and not COPD.
If your current symptoms change or if you have new ones, don’t dismiss them—tell your doctor. And if you’re currently on a maintenance medication, your doctor may consider switching your treatment.
COPD symptoms include:
Difficulty breathing
You may experience shortness of breath and/or wheezing during normal activity or while at rest.
Chest tightness
You may have the feeling that something is squeezing or sitting on your chest, making it hard to breathe.
Coughing up mucus
You may experience a change in the amount or color of mucus coughed up.
What’s a COPD flare-up?
A flare-up (or exacerbation) is when your usual COPD symptoms become much worse for several days or weeks (not simply when you need to use your rescue inhaler) and require one or more of the following:
- Steroids (like prednisone)
- Antibiotics
- Emergency room visit
- Hospital stay
Respiratory viral or bacterial infections cause many flare-ups. But triggers range from pollution to stress, and they can be different for everyone. Flare-ups often come on suddenly, so it helps to be prepared with a COPD plan. Partner with your doctor to create one. Remember, “toughing it out” is not a plan. It’s just tough. So be sure to tell your doctor how your COPD truly affects you.
