Symptoms
Early symptoms include:
- Coughing in the morning
- Coughing up clear sputum (mucus from deep in the lungs)
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath with activity
As the disease progresses, you may experience:
- Increased shortness of breath
- Rapid breathing
- Choking sensation when lying flat (may need to prop up with many pillows or even sleep in a chair)
- Fatigue
- Trouble concentrating
- Increase in chest size (barrel chest)
- Increased risk of serious lung infections
- Enlargement of the right chamber of the heart
- Heart failure
- Coughing up thick and/or bloody mucus
- Swelling in the legs
- Weight loss
- Breathing through pursed lips
- Desire to lean forward to improve breathing
- More frequent flare-ups (periods of more severe symptoms)
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests may include:
- Chest x-ray —a test that uses radiation to take pictures of structures inside the body
- CT Scan —a type of x-ray that uses a computer to make pictures of structures inside the chest
- Blood tests to assess the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood (arterial blood gas test)
- Lung function tests (spirometry)
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Copyright © 2012 EBSCO Publishing All rights reserved.
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