Get To Know The Signs Of COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious lung condition, ladies. You'll end up with breathing issues for a long time with this one. Overall? It affects 16 million Americans, so it's quite common! Ladies, you will have both emphysema and chronic bronchitis. These are the two that make up COPD! The main cause? Smoking!

Prescription inhalers for COPD are the most common treatment, by far. They'll likely have steroids or bronchodilators in these inhalers! Specific medications for emphysema are also at play for COPD treatment. You can even talk to your doctor about herbal remedies for COPD! They'll make sure to relieve as many of your symptoms as possible.

Regular Respiratory Infections

Ladies, COPD makes it hard to clear your lungs. This includes clearing them of pollutants and bacteria! You'll deal with respiratory infections much more often because of it. The bacteria sticking around will cause them! The pollutants? They'll irritate your lungs and help the bacteria cause these infections. Ladies, get your annual flu vaccine. Always get a pneumonia vaccine when it's needed too! Getting vaccinated is going to help protect you! Also, remember to avoid pollen and air pollution. Keep your house clean to stop dust from irritating your lungs.

If you do get a respiratory infection, you'll start with more wheezing. You'll produce more mucus too! Every other symptom of COPD is going to get worse if you have a respiratory infection. This includes your shortness of breath! Keep watch for nasal congestion, sore throat, a fever, and headaches too.

Shortness Of Breath

Ladies, shortness of breath means feeling like you can't get enough air. Some even say it feels like they're suffocating! Ladies, this COPD symptom is incredibly common during exercise. You'll feel out of breath much faster if you have this condition! Ladies, get emergency attention if you also feel pain in your chest, nausea, or if you feel like fainting. Yes, call if you actually faint too! Your doctor is going to test your lung function. Listening to them with a stethoscope is part of this! Pulse oximetry is another common test. You'll get relief if you try supplemental oxygen and meds help too!

Lack Of Energy

COPD comes with a significant lack of energy. Ladies, it'll be very hard for you to exercise like others who don't have this condition! Going for a walk? You'll be very tired part of the way through! Doing chores around the house is going to tire you out too. It's even hard for some patients with this condition to walk up the stairs!

Ladies, you can deal with this! Use wheeled carts to move things around. Place items you need a lot on lower shelves! Poles help you reach high items. A step stool works too! Is your bedroom is on another floor? Move it to the main floor, and you can avoid the tiring stairs! Give yourself more time to do things. Don't be afraid to ask for help either!

Cough And Wheezing

Expect to cough a lot, ladies! A cough and wheezing are quite common symptoms of COPD. The cough is going to stick around. You'll cough up lots of mucus, and it'll vary in color. The possibilities? Clear, white, green, and yellow! Some people call this a 'smoker's cough.' As for wheezing, it's the whistling sound you will hear as you breathe in and out. It happens because your airways have gotten narrower. The air going through them is going to vibrate the walls, triggering the whistle. Your airways will be clogged by mucus too. It'll also force the whistling sound! Ladies, sometimes irritants like air pollution and smoke get into your lungs. These irritants trigger inflammation and swelling. The result? Coughing and wheezing! This happens much more often if you have COPD. Respiratory infections will trigger these symptoms too.

Chest Tightness

You're going to deal with chest tightness as a symptom of COPD. It's guaranteed! Ladies, this sign occurs because of respiratory infections, an obstructed airway, or even bronchospasms. What are the most common infections that trigger this symptom? Be on the lookout for pneumonia, the flu, and acute bronchitis, ladies! Your chest tightness can feel like one of 3 sensations. Ladies, your chest can feel stiff. However, many say it feels like someone is sitting on their chest! Another way you'll experience chest tightness because of this condition is like something is squeezing your chest. Ladies, if you feel this? Get treatment fast! Practice breathing techniques. Inhaled meds are going to help too, and don't forget about exercise training!