Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (cont.)
IN THIS ARTICLE
- COPD Overview
- COPD Causes
- COPD Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- COPD Treatment
- Self-Care at Home
- Medical Treatment
- Medications
- Surgery
- Next Steps
- Follow-up
- Prevention
- Outlook
- Support Groups and Counseling
- For More Information
- Web Links
- Synonyms and Keywords
- Authors and Editors
- Pictures of Bronchitis - Slideshow

- Viewer Comments: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease
COPD Symptoms
Most people with COPD have smoked at least 10-20 cigarettes per day for 20 or more years before experiencing any symptoms. Thus, COPD is typically not diagnosed until the fifth decade of life (in people aged 40-49 years).
Common signs and symptoms of COPD are as follows:
- A productive cough or an acute
- Breathlessness or being short of breath (called dyspnea) is the most significant symptom, but it does not usually occur until the sixth decade of life (in people aged 50-59 years).
- Wheezing is a musical, whistling, or hissing sound with breathing. Some people may wheeze, especially during exertion and when their condition worsens.
The following may occur as COPD worsens:
- Intervals between acute periods of worsening of dyspnea (exacerbations) become shorter.
- Cyanosis (discoloration of the skin) and failure of the right side of the heart may occur.
- Anorexia and weight loss often develop and suggest a worse prognosis.
The American Thoracic Society (ATS) recommends the following clinical staging of COPD severity according to lung function:
- Stage I is FEV1 of equal or more than 50% of the predicted value.
- Stage II is FEV1 of 35-49% of the predicted value.
- Stage III is FEV1 of less than 35% of the predicted value.
Next: When to Seek Medical Care »
Viewer Comments & Reviews
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - Symptoms At Onset Of Disease
The eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:
The symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can vary greatly from patient to patient. What were your symptoms at the onset of your disease?
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Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease »
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a devastating disorder that causes a huge degree of human suffering.
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