What are the symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes breathing difficulties, respiratory disorders.
It is a chronic, progressive lesion of the lung, characterized by obstructed airflow from the lungs, parenchymal damage, pathological changes in the pulmonary blood vessels.
Symptoms include breathing difficulty and wheezing.
People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions.
Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions that contribute to COPD.
Although COPD is a progressive disease that gets worse over time, COPD is treatable. With proper management, most people with COPD can achieve good symptom control and quality of life, as well as reduced risk of other associated conditions.
Symptoms
COPD symptoms often don't appear until significant lung damage has occurred, and they usually worsen over time, particularly if smoking exposure continues.
Signs and symptoms of COPD may include:
- Shortness of breath, especially during physical activities
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- A chronic cough that may produce mucus
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Lack of energy
- Unintended weight loss (in later stages)
- Swelling in ankles, feet or legs
Causes
The main cause of COPD in developed countries is tobacco smoking. In the developing world, COPD often occurs in people exposed to fumes from burning fuel for cooking and heating in poorly ventilated homes.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/copd/symptoms-causes/syc-20353679
