Symptoms may develop slowly
COPD symptoms develop slowly and will most likely get worse over time.
By the time many people are diagnosed with COPD, they may have lost a considerable amount of lung function. So it's really important that you talk to your doctor if you have any of the symptoms listed.
If you are diagnosed with COPD there is still reason for hope. There are many things you can do to slow the progress of the disease and make living with the symptoms easier.
Your COPD symptoms may periodically get worse
If you have COPD, chances are there will be times, periodically, when your day-to-day COPD symptoms get markedly worse. These episodes can last for a few days and often require antibiotics, oral steroids, and in some cases, hospitalization. Doctors call them exacerbations.
While most COPD exacerbations are caused by lung infections, they can also be caused by air pollution, smoke, allergies, exposure to cold air, dust, or chemical fumes.
Common day-to day COPD symptoms include:
- Cough
- Coughing up mucus or phlegm
- Difficult or labored breathing; shortness of breath
- Wheezing and chest tightness
Learn about other important information you should share with your doctor. 
Most people with COPD periodically experience exacerbations, a marked worsening of their COPD symptoms that may include:
- An increase in mucus production, cough, and shortness of breath
- A change in the color of sputum
- Fever
- Fatigue
Learn about a treatment option that can reduce the number of exacerbations.
