According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 15 million people in the United States are affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung condition that affects one’s breathing and can develop into a life-threatening disease. In fact, a lot more people may already be living with this condition without their knowledge.
One of the reasons COPD can be underdiagnosed is that its symptoms may be mistaken as natural signs of aging. This is why it is important to identify even the mildest symptoms to allow early diagnosis and treatment. This way, the condition is better managed or prevented.
How do you know if you have COPD? Learn more about its symptoms, and spot its warning signs before it gets worse.
Shortness of Breath
One of the most common COPD symptoms is the feeling of tightness in the chest and shortness of breath. According to pulmonologist Barry Make, MD, it is even a major warning sign to look out for. If you find yourself often feeling out of breath even when you’re just doing simple everyday activities, you should consult a pulmonologist.
Ongoing Cough
A cough that’s going on for too long is one of the initial signs of COPD. While coughing is the body’s natural way of protecting the airways from inhaling irritants such as smoke and clearing the breathing passages of mucus, having a chronic cough is a warning sign that the lungs are not functioning well. If you have been coughing on a regular basis for a few weeks now, or if you are starting to wheeze, be sure to keep your health-care provider posted.
Increase in Mucus
With coughing comes the production of large quantities of mucus or phlegm. Naturally, the lungs produce mucus to trap irritants or to keep them out, but having lots of mucus come out from your lungs instead of the sinuses can be a red flag for COPD. If you feel the need to clear your throat from phlegm first thing in the morning, especially if it appears yellow or green or is tinged with blood, you may be experiencing a common COPD symptom.
When to Call for Emergency Care
Over time, initial symptoms may become severe, especially when no proper treatment or lifestyle adjustments have been done. With this, patients need to identify severe COPD symptoms that already call for medical attention. Seek emergency care right away if you find it difficult to catch your breath and to even speak more than a few phrases.
One thing to watch out for also is cyanosis, or the blue or grayish discoloration of the lips and fingernails. This can be a sign that your blood’s oxygen level is dropping below normal. Once a low blood-oxygen saturation is confirmed by a Mediaid SpO2 machine, you may be given supplemental oxygen to keep your body functioning.
Another serious COPD warning sign is a change in mental alertness and an increase in heartbeat. A COPD flare-up can put you in a potentially life-threatening state, which is why it is important that immediate action is taken once these symptoms surface. Also check about: World No Tobacco Day.
Avoiding COPD Flare-ups
The main goal of COPD treatment is to enjoy a quality of life by keeping symptoms under control as much as possible. Aside from regularly keeping in touch with your doctor, you can keep COPD symptoms at bay by getting your immune system strong, washing your hands as often as you can, keeping yourself hydrated and well-rested, and ultimately living a healthy lifestyle. In the end, it is still up to you to take control of your condition.
Yoga breathing is excellent to build lung function. Consider also acupuncture, natural herbal remedies and Ayurvedic medicine.
Look Into Your Genetics
Epidemiologic data indicate that over 95% of patients with COPD are current or former smokers; however, only about 10-20% of smokers develop COPD, based in part on genetic susceptibility.
Find out if you have mutations in genes that increase predisposition to COPD. Optimize your methylation to control the expression of those genes. COPD genes have been added to the Comprehensive Health Conditions Report in this website.
Nice content thank u for sharing, very informative content.
I have had emphysema for about five years. I was on oxygen during the day but not at night. I could go about two hours without the oxygen, and then I need it. I had a converter in the house and oxygen tanks for when I go shopping, etc. I am 64 years old and in relatively good health. The doctor said it was caused by a combination of smoking, dust here in Vegas, and 30 years of smog in California. I believed I will always need the oxygen to breathe. I quit smoking 15 years ago. But the damage has been done. January 2017 my pulmonologist and I decided to go with natural treatment and was introduced to Green House Herbal Clinic natural organic Emphysema Herbal formula, i had a total decline of symptoms with this Emphysema Herbal formula treatment. The infections, shortness of breath, fatigue, dry cough and other symptoms has subsided. Visit Green House Herbal Clinic official website I have had great improvement with my over all respiration with this product and i breath very much easier, i can never be thankful enough to nature