Symptoms

The symptoms of COPD develop over many years and become progressively worse. Initial symptoms include:

• Chronic coughing. Coughing is usually worse upon awakening.
• Increased production of mucus. This results in a frequent need to clear the throat.
• Shortness of breath. In the beginning, people who have emphysema may notice that they fatigue easily with any physical exertion, such as climbing stairs, or even walking.

As the disease gets worse, additional symptoms develop:

• Shortness of breath all the time, even sitting still.
• More frequent colds and upper respiratory infections, as the lungs are slowly losing their ability to function effectively.
• Physical bodily changes may occur. Especially with emphysema, a person's chest may take on a barrel-like appearance as the lungs expand to compensate for the loss of functioning tissue. Others develop bluish lips and nail beds due to the low levels of oxygen in the blood. Some people with emphysema develop swelling in the lower extremities and increased fluid in the lungs, signs of heart failure.

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This article was reviewed and updated June 2007.