Experts believe that about 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with COPD. However, just as many people have some form of lung impairment but have not been diagnosed with COPD.
COPD may go unnoticed in its early stages. This is because it is often confused with asthma, a bad cough, or a natural part of aging. Also, many people think of COPD as a disease that only affects the elderly. In fact, more than 70% of patients who have COPD are under age 65. And some people start having symptoms in their early 40s.
The symptoms of COPD tend to develop gradually and can begin in a person's early 40s. They may be worse some days than others, or they may be bad all the time. The important thing is to identify the symptoms early and get treatment.
Common symptoms of COPD include:
1)Shortness of breath (dyspnea)--In the early stages of COPD, patients may experience breathlessness only during strenuous activity. This might include climbing stairs or exercising. At first, they may see this as a sign of aging or being out of shape. But gradually, patients begin to feel shortness of breath even during simple activities. This can happen when simply walking across the room, or even at rest.
2)Chronic cough--It is often the first symptom of COPD to develop. Many people discount it as "smoker's cough" or the effect of cold weather at first.
3)Increase and/or change in sputum--Patients often produce sputum (also called phlegm) after coughing
4)Wheezing--Wheezing is a whistling or squeaking noise that is heard when the patient breathes. It may be caused by the narrowing of the airways in the lungs.
5)Chest tightness--Patients describe this as a feeling of pressure on the chest, as if being wrapped tightly by a blanket.
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