What Are the Symptoms of COPD?

Symptoms of COPD include frequent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty inhaling deeply, excess phlegm, spitting up phlegm (mucus), frequent respiratory infections, and fatigue. An exacerbation or flare-up is when COPD symptoms worsen.

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

Symptoms of COPD include:

• Frequent cough
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Difficulty inhaling deeply
• Excess phlegm, mucus, or sputum production
• Spitting up phlegm (mucus) 
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Fatigue

When symptoms of COPD worsen, it’s called an exacerbation or flare-up. Signs of an oncoming COPD exacerbation, which can often occur quickly and suddenly, include: 

• Coughing more than usual 
• More shortness of breath than usual
• Wheezing more than usual
• More fatigue than usual 
• Cold symptoms: sore throat, fever, or other cold symptoms 
• Changes in mucus color, consistency, or quantity
• Feeling unwell 
• Swollen legs or ankles
• Difficulty sleeping
• Needing to sleep sitting up instead of lying down
• Feeling a need for increased oxygen in patients on oxygen
• Oxygen levels will be lower than normal if measured

When to See a Doctor for COPD Symptoms

Call 911 right away or go to a hospital’s emergency department (do not drive yourself) immediately if you experience serious warning signs of a COPD exacerbation such as:

• Feeling of suffocating 
• Chest pain
• Blue lips or fingernail beds (cyanosis)
• Confusion