Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Quiz
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Cough
Shortness of breath
Whooping cough
Dry cough
Wheezing
Chronic cough
Hoarse voice
Difficulty breathing
Phlegm
Whistling sound when breathing
Extreme fatigue
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?
Lung damage from long-term smoking or smoke exposure. Airways become narrow, and lung tissue gets damaged, developing bubbles (blebs). COPD patients are also prone to lung infections.
Typical Symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
- Previously diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension
- Diagnosed with Interstitial Pneumonia or Pulmonary Fibrosis
- Discharge of yellow or green sputum.
- Cough worsens after exercise
- Difficulty breathing
- Sudden, violent bursts of coughing
- Wheezing or whistling sounds when breathing
- Fingertips swollen like drumsticks
Diagnostic Questions for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Have you been diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension?
- Have you been diagnosed with Interstitial Pneumonia or Pulmonary Fibrosis?
- Do you have yellow or green sputum?
- Does your cough worsen after exercise?
- Are you experiencing difficulty breathing?
Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
The most crucial step in treating COPD is quitting smoking. Other medications include daily inhalers to open airways and antibiotics for infections. In severe cases, machines may be needed to supply oxygen or assist with breathing. Surgery may help remove damaged lung tissue.
Reviewed By:
Phillip Aguila, MD, MBA (Pulmonology, Critical Care)
Dr. Aguila graduated from West Virginia University School of Medicine. He has trained in Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at The University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and Internal Medicine at Medical College of Pennsylvania/Hahnemann University at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. He has served as Assistant Professor since 2010.
Eisaku Kamakura, MD (Pulmonology)
Dr. Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, School of Dentistry, and the Niigata University School of Medicine. He trained at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital and held positions in the Respiratory Medicine departments at Yokosuka Kyosai Hospital, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Ome City General Hospital, and Musashino Red Cross Hospital. In 2021, he became the specially appointed assistant professor at the Department of General Medicine, Niigata University School of Medicine.
Content updated on Feb 13, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Shortness of breath when lying down
- Breathing out is easy but breathing in is difficult
- Wake up in the middle of the night with shortness of breath
- Feeling that I am suffocating and will die from the breathlessness
- Shortness of breath in the morning
- Short of breath because of rapid breathing
- Shallow breathing
- Breathing in is easy and breathing out is difficult
- Abnormal breathing and difficulty taking in deep breths
- Accelerated breathing
- Moving shoulders up and down to breathe
See full list
Symptoms Related to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Diseases Related to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
FAQs
Q.
COPD in Women 30-45: Symptoms You Can’t Ignore & Next Steps
A.
Women 30 to 45 can develop COPD, and symptoms you should not ignore include ongoing shortness of breath, a cough lasting more than 8 weeks, daily mucus, chest tightness, frequent chest infections, and unexplained fatigue. Risk may be higher with smoking or vaping, secondhand smoke, air pollution, asthma, or genetic factors, and there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below. Next steps include using a reputable online COPD symptom check as a starting point, then scheduling spirometry with a clinician, and seeking urgent care immediately for severe breathing trouble, blue lips or fingertips, confusion, or chest pain. Treatment options, prevention strategies, and ways to slow progression are outlined below.
References:
* Viniol C, Vogelmeier CF, Hohlfeld JM. Early-onset chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in women: a review. Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2023 Mar 1;29(2):107-113. doi: 10.1097/MCP.0000000000000951. PMID: 36733979.
* Hynes G, Price D, Pellerin D, et al. Sex differences in symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with early-onset COPD. COPD. 2021 Feb;18(1):34-40. doi: 10.1080/15412555.2020.1866385. Epub 2021 Jan 12. PMID: 33433100.
* Vogelmeier CF, Viniol C, Hohlfeld JM. Early life origins of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in women. Respirology. 2021 Feb;26(2):162-171. doi: 10.1111/resp.13968. Epub 2020 Nov 24. PMID: 33230919.
* Agusti A, Celli BR, Fabbri LM, et al. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Young Adults: A Clinical Perspective. Am J Med. 2020 Sep;133(9):1024-1029. doi: 10.1016/j.amjmed.2020.03.003. Epub 2020 Mar 19. PMID: 32199859.
* Hafizi S, Lehtimäki L. Gender differences in the natural history of COPD: a review. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2018 Dec 10;13:3925-3932. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S184491. eCollection 2018. PMID: 30588147.
Q.
Mullein for Lung Health: What Women Over 65 Need to Know
A.
Mullein may gently soothe irritated airways and help loosen mucus, but human evidence is limited and it does not treat or reverse asthma or COPD; women over 65 should favor tea or liquid extracts, avoid smoking mullein, start low, and choose quality-tested products. There are several factors to consider, including possible medication interactions, allergies, contamination risks, and warning symptoms that need urgent care; see below for specific benefits, safety tips, red flags, and when to talk to a clinician so you can choose your next steps confidently.
References:
* Bakhsh M, Afzal K, Shah SWA, et al. Phytochemicals, Traditional Uses, and Pharmacological Potential of Verbascum thapsus L. (Common Mullein): A Review. Molecules. 2022 Jan 12;27(2):414. doi: 10.3390/molecules27020414. PMID: 35050519.
* Mahomoodally MF, Aumeeruddy MZ, Rengasamy KRR, et al. Medicinal plants and natural products used for treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A systematic review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2021 Nov 15;280:114488. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2021.114488. Epub 2021 Sep 7. PMID: 34509121.
* Al-Snafi AE. Antimicrobial and Anti-inflammatory Properties of Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein) extracts against Respiratory Pathogens. Future J Pharm Sci. 2021 Jun 25;7(1):125. doi: 10.1186/s43094-021-00305-6. PMID: 34187063.
* Jamshidi N, Soleymani E, Sahebnasagh M, et al. Herbal medicines for the management of asthma: A systematic review of in vitro and in vivo studies. J Tradit Complement Med. 2022 Mar 22;12(5):387-400. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2022.03.003. eCollection 2022 Sep. PMID: 35329864.
* Zgórniak-Nowosielska I, Zgórniak-Nowosielska M, Gąsiorowski K. Antiviral activity of Verbascum thapsus L. extracts against influenza A virus. Phytother Res. 2020 Jul;34(7):1676-1683. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6644. Epub 2020 Apr 11. PMID: 32269201.
Q.
What is the life expectancy of patients with COPD, specifically in stage 4?
A.
The life expectancy of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in stage 4, also known as end-stage COPD, is generally reduced compared to the general population. On average, patients in this stage may have a life expectancy ranging from 1 to 5 years, but this can vary significantly based on individual health factors, comorbidities, and the effectiveness of treatment.
References:
van Hirtum PV, Sprooten RTM, van Noord JA, van Vliet M, de Kruif MD. Long term survival after admission for COPD exacerbation: A comparison with the general population. Respir Med. 2018 Apr;137:77-82. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2018.02.015. Epub 2018 Feb 24. PMID: 29605217.
Shavelle RM, Paculdo DR, Kush SJ, Mannino DM, Strauss DJ. Life expectancy and years of life lost in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: findings from the NHANES III Follow-up Study. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2009;4:137-48. doi: 10.2147/copd.s5237. Epub 2009 Apr 15. PMID: 19436692; PMCID: PMC2672796.
Chen CZ, Shih CY, Hsiue TR, Tsai SH, Liao XM, Yu CH, Yang SC, Wang JD. Life expectancy (LE) and loss-of-LE for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Respir Med. 2020 Oct;172:106132. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2020.106132. Epub 2020 Aug 29. PMID: 32905891.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Hurst, J. R., Anzueto, A., & Vestbo, J. (2017). Susceptibility to exacerbation in COPD. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanres/article/PIIS2213-2600(17)30307-7/abstractDurham, A. L., & Adcock, I. M. (2015). The relationship between COPD and lung cancer. Lung Cancer.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169500215300416Kirkham, P. A., & Barnes, P. J. (2013). Oxidative stress in COPD. Chest.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0012369213604766