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COPD

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COPD symptoms are often similar symptoms of other lung diseases and conditions, so it's best to consult a doctor as soon as you discover something that may indicate you have early symptoms of COPD. This article is intended only to provide basic and introductory information about COPD symptoms to non-medical readers.

The United States has two lung diseases categorized under the definition of COPD. They are emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

There are generally no noticeable early signs COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Symptoms only start to show after there's been damage to lung tissue. Symptoms of COPD usually get progressively worse after they first begin to appear. You can have COPD and be completely unaware of it - until you notice …show more content…

This is known as a productive cough. Such a cough that's not caused by a cold or flu can be one of the first symptoms of COPD. This cough appears every morning at first, but gradually it starts happening all day long. It intensifies as the disease progresses.

There are various other COPD symptoms, and they usually include the following.

Blood-tinged sputum - This is called hemoptysis, and it's one of the most common symptoms of COPD. Most of the time, only small amounts of blood come up from the respiratory system, but it's enough to signal that a problem is developing. Hemoptysis can also be a symptom of lung cancer.

Wheezing - This is a high-pitched noise that sometimes may even sound like a whistle. Wheezing is the result of air being forced through air passages that have grown smaller.

Breathing with pursed lips - Pursing the lips narrows the mouth, making it harder for air to get out during exhaling. By pursing the lips, the COPD sufferer is unconsciously trying to exhale more slowly, thus keeping the pressure levels in the airways high enough to prevent them from

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