COPD: Symptoms (w/ Online Quiz), Causes & Treatment

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a condition that is associated with blocked airways and difficulty breathing. Some specific conditions that contribute to COPD are chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

The main cause of COPD is smoking, as smoke and other substances present in cigarettes damage tissue along the respiratory tract. This condition leads to symptoms such as shortness of breath, coughing up mucus and wheezing when breathing.

Treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease should be guided by a lung specialist and varies depending on the disease that is causing the COPD. The doctor may consider prescribing medication, surgery or physiotherapy, and will advise smoking cessation. 

Common symptoms

The main symptoms of COPD include:

• Constant coughing
• Rapid and labored breathing
• Noise or wheezing in the chest when breathing
• Frequent need to clear your throat
• Shortness of breath on exertion
• Fatigue
• Weight loss

The initial symptoms of COPD may be mild and may even confused with a common cold. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms worsen and become more frequent due to progressive lung damage.

In addition, people with COPD may have a weakened immune system, and are more likely to contract colds, flu or respiratory infections. These can increase difficulty breathing in those with COPD and lead to a greater production of phlegm. This is often referred to as “exacerbated COPD”.

Online symptom checker

To determine your chances of having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), enter your symptoms below:

Please note that this is only a guidance tool, and does not provide a diagnosis or replace a consultation with your doctor. 

Confirming a diagnosis

A COPD diagnosis is confirmed by a lung specialist, who will start by evaluating the patient's presenting signs and symptoms as well as their health history. Then the doctor will perform a physical assessment, and check the patient's blood pressure and auscultate the lungs.

The doctor may also opt to order additional testing, such as chest X-ray, a CT scan, lung spirometry, and blood tests, like an arterial blood gas analysis.

These tests can help your doctor confirm a diagnosis of COPD, but they can also be used to identify or rule out other diseases that may present with similar symptoms, such as asthma or heart failure.

What causes COPD?

COPD is characterized by swollen and narrowed bronchi or bronchioles that make it difficult for air to pass through. This can be caused by:

• Smoking
• Asthma
• Chronic bronchitis
• Genetic changes in the lungs

The main cause of COPD is smoking, although this disease can also affect people who have never smoked, due to exposure to other people's cigarette smoke.

However, some risk factors that can increase your chances of getting COPD include prolonged exposure to dust, smoke from wood stoves, and chemicals.

Treatment options

Treatment for COPD usually involves a multi-modal approach, and may include:

1. Smoking cessation

To treat COPD, it is essential to quit smoking to prevent the disease from getting worse. Continuing to smoke may lead to worsening  respiratory capacity and possible complications, like a respiratory infection and pulmonary hypertension.

It can be difficult for many people to quit smoking, and the doctor may recommend the use of medications that help treat nicotine addiction, reduce anxiety or manage irritability. Support groups or psychotherapy can also be beneficial for smoking cessation.

2. Use of medications

The medications that may be prescribed for the treatment of COPD may vary according to the symptoms presented and the progression of the disease. They may include:

• Inhaled bronchodilators, such as salbutamol, formoterol or ipratropium bromide, which help open the bronchi and promote optimal airflow to the lungs
• Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, or inhaled inhalers, such as fluticasone or budesonide, which can reduce inflammation and irritation in the lungs
• Phosphodiesterase inhibitors, such as roflumilast, which help to reduce inflammation and relax the muscles in the airways, making breathing easier
• Theophylline, a medicine that helps relax the muscles in the airways, improve breathing and prevent complications of COPD
• Mucolytics, such as acetylcysteine ​​or carbocysteine, which help to thin-out phlegm and make it easier to eliminate through coughing
• Antibiotics, such as azithromycin or amoxicillin, which help to treat respiratory infections, such as bronchitis, pneumonia or flu, thus preventing the worsening of COPD symptoms.

The use of any of these medications should only be done as the guidance and supervision of a pulmonologist and with specific doses for each person.

3. Respiratory physiotherapy

Respiratory physiotherapy helps to improve breathing capacity and promote an optimal quality of life inpeople with COPD.

The goal of this treatment is to reduce symptoms, medication doses and the need for hospitalization.

4. Proper nutrition

A proper diet is essential for maintaining a healthy weight and preventing COPD symptoms from worsening. Diet also helps improve breathing, as the metabolism of nutrients consumes oxygen and releases carbon dioxide into the body.

Patients with COPD should prioritize foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits, fresh vegetables, and whole grains, such as brown rice and whole-wheat pasta. They should also include lean proteins in their diet, such as fish, eggs and chicken; as well as healthy fats, such as avocado, olive oil and nuts.

Patients with COPD should reduce their intake of simple carbohydrates, such as sugar, cookies, candy, sugary drinks, jams and cakes, for example. It is important to avoid foods that increase the production of gases that can make breathing difficult, such as carbonated drinks, beans, broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, corn, lentils, soy, leeks and peas.

It can be beneficial to consult a registered dietitian before starting a COPD diet, as registered professional can help to create a meal plan adapted to your individual needs and health goals.

5. Oxygen therapy

Oxygen therapy is a treatment that increases blood oxygen levels, which can be reduced due to damage caused by COPD.

This treatment can be prescribed by the doctor to be done for a few hours a day or continuously, depending on each case.

There are several types of oxygen therapy that can be recommended by the lung specialist, which vary depending on the needs of each person.

6. Surgery

Surgery may be advised by the lung specialist in some cases of very severe COPD secondary to pulmonary emphysema, when treatment with medication is not effective in managing symptoms.

This surgery is performed to remove small parts of damaged lung tissue, which allows for healthy parts to expand. It can help to make breathing easier and improve the person's quality of life.

7. Lung transplant

A lung transplant can be performed if other treatment options are not effective in managing COPD symptoms. It allows the ability to breathe and be more active.

However, a lung transplant is the last treatment option for COPD, as it is associated with several risks, especially rejection of the transplanted organ. In addition, the person may need to take immunosuppressive medication for the rest of their life. 

Precautions during treatment

Some important precautions to take during COPD treatment are:

• Take your medication at the times prescribed by your doctor;
• Get vaccinated against the flu or pneumococcal vaccine, as advised by your doctor, to prevent lung infections;
• Maintain a healthy weight, and avoid being overweight or underweight;
• Stay in a comfortable position when lying down, to facilitate breathing, preferably tilting the head of the bed bed if you have difficulty breathing;
• Exercise as approved by your doctor within your own limitations, so that shortness of breath does not become too intense;
• Clear your airways about an hour before each meal;
• Avoid alcohol, such as beer, wine and sparkling wine;
• Drink plenty of fluids, such as water, teas and coconut water, which improve hydration and thin secretions, helping to eliminate them;
• Avoid places with a lot of dust, products with strong odors, hair spray or perfumes, which can cause irritation or inflammation in the lungs and worsen symptoms, leading to flare-ups.

In addition, it is important to keep an information card in your purse or wallet with information that identifies that you have COPD, the medications you are taking, as well as contact information in case of emergencies and COPD exacerbations.

Possible complications

Complications associated with COPD include frequent respiratory infections, including common colds, flu or pneumonia, but also pulmonary hypertension, heart disease or lung cancer.

Difficulty breathing and carrying out daily activities can also contribute to the development of depression or anxiety.