COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) refers to a group of chronic, progressive lung diseases that block airflow and cause breathing problems. Types of COPD include:
- Emphysema
- Chronic bronchitis
- Refractory (non-reversible) asthma
- Some forms of bronchiectasis
There are four stages, or grades, of COPD that refer to the level of airflow obstruction, as measured by a simple breathing test called spirometry. The spirometer measures:
- The total volume of air that a person can exhale (or breathe out) in one try, called the forced vital capacity (FVC)
- The amount of air a person can exhale in the first second of a hard exhale, called the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)
The stages, or grades, of COPD range from mild to very severe, based on how reduced a person’s FEV1 spirometry score is for their age, as follows in the table below.
| COPD Stage | FEV1 Spirometry Score |
|---|---|
| Stage 1: Mild | FEV1 is 80% or higher |
| Stage 2: Moderate | FEV1 is between 50% and 79% |
| Stage 3: Severe | FEV1 is between 30% and 49% |
| Stage 4: Very severe | FEV1 is less than 30% |
What Are Symptoms of COPD?
Symptoms of COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) include:
- Frequent coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Excess phlegm, mucus, or sputum production
- Spitting up phlegm (mucus)
- Difficulty inhaling deeply
When symptoms of COPD worsen, often quickly and suddenly, it’s called an exacerbation or flare-up. Signs of an oncoming COPD exacerbation include:
- More shortness of breath than usual
- Coughing more than usual
- Wheezing more than usual
- Being more tired or fatigued than usual
- Feeling unwell (malaise)
- Cold symptoms: fever, sore throat, or other cold symptoms
- Changes in mucus thickness, color, or amount
- Swollen legs or ankles
- Difficulty sleeping
- Needing to sleep sitting up instead of lying down
- Feeling a need for increased oxygen in patients who are on oxygen
- Oxygen levels will be lower than normal if measured
Call 911 immediately or go to a hospital’s emergency department (do not drive yourself) if you experience serious warning signs of a COPD exacerbation such as:
- Feeling as if you are suffocating
- Chest pain
- Blue lips or fingers
- Confusion
What Is the Treatment for COPD?
The goal of treatment for COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is to relieve symptoms, decrease the frequency and severity of exacerbations, and increase tolerance to exercise.
Treatment for COPD may include:
- Quitting smoking
- This is the most important part of COPD treatment for people who smoke as it’s the most common cause of COPD
- Avoiding secondhand tobacco smoke
- Avoiding air pollutants at home and at work
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- An individualized treatment program that teaches strategies to improve quality of life for COPD patients
- Medications to treat symptoms
- Bronchodilators including anticholinergics and beta2-agonists to help open airways and make breathing easier
- Anti-inflammatories, such as corticosteroids
- Antibiotics for lung infections
- Influenza (flu) and pneumococcal vaccinations to prevent lung infections, which can cause serious problems in people with COPD
- Supplemental oxygen
Patients who have COPD should be prepared for exacerbations and need to work with their doctors to have a plan for when they occur. Treating flare-ups quickly can reduce the chances of serious illness and additional lung damage.
Treatment for COPD exacerbations may include:
- Quick-relief inhaler
- Nebulizer
- Steroids
- Antibiotics
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
From 
Lung Disease/COPD Resources
Featured Centers
Health Solutions From Our Sponsors
https://www.lung.ca/lung-health/lung-disease/copd/flare-ups
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/treating
https://gaapp.org/copd/diagnosis/four-stages-of-copd/