I brought this across as some of the 10 items cover issues that have come up in other discussions. the swollen extremities , tight chest etc
As this indicates they are all normal symptoms of COPD, it also indicates when to take additional action
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10 Top Symptoms of COPD
COPD is a serious condition of the lungs and tissue in which breathing and functioning are altered. The lungs are a major set of organs in the body and they are responsible for oxygenating blood for the entire body. As blood travels through the body, blood delivers oxygen to the cells in the body and when blood returns back towards the heart, it contains little to no oxygen and mostly waste. This is where the lungs come in to play. They are responsible for diffusing the oxygen that you breathe into your blood that circulates through the heart and for the rest of the body. Sometimes, the lungs become ill and over years of environmental and chemical hazards, the lungs can become diseased. Listed below are 10 symptoms of COPD, which is one of the most serious diseases of the lungs.
Top 10 Symptoms of COPD
1. Smoking
One of the worst things that an individual can do to the body is smoke. It has been known to increase blood pressure and heart rate, not to mention it has been known to cause lung cancer. Given this, the lungs are at great risk when you smoke and smoking is a major symptom and risk factor for any individual. One of the best things to do is to stop smoking as soon as possible, regardless of how long you have been smoking. In addition, the e-cigarettes that are now on the market can pose just as much risk as the tobacco products, so be mindful of this. You can discuss quitting smoking with your doctor for effective ways to stop smoking.
2. Frequent Shortness of Breath
One of the telltale symptoms of COPD is shortness of breath, which is characterized by shallow, quick breathing that occurs when you are at rest and not exerting much effort at all. Many people with COPD tend to notice this when sitting and resting or at night in bed. This is a symptom that should not be taken lightly, as it could be a threatening symptom. If you notice that your breathing is more labored than normal and you have not been exerting yourself then consider getting your lungs checked out. Pulmonary function tests can help to determine how well your lungs are functioning and they can detect how far the disease has progressed
3. Difficulty Sleeping
One of the body’s natural ways to heal itself is through sleep at night. When we sleep, we are not just performing a routine task; it is a way for the body to secrete growth hormone and other hormones to help improve health and wellness. However, when you are unable to sleep at night, your body is unable to heal and stay well, meaning there could be something wrong. Many individuals with COPD report that they have difficulty sleeping at night and this tends to be a chronic condition. Consider discussing your sleep patterns with your doctor if you suspect that you have not been sleeping well at night.
4. Coughing
In addition to being unable to breathe effectively, coughing is one of the most common symptoms in COPD. While it is something that is not out of the normal, especially in colder months, coughing is something that can be a big symptom for your health. When you cough, your lungs are trying to rid the airway from foreign substances, usually mucus. In COPD, this tends to be more pronounced and unpredictable. If your cough lingers and persists longer than what is normal, then consider getting your health checked by your doctor. While it may be minor, coughing could be a good indicator for your doctor to assess.
5. Swollen Extremities
Individuals with COPD have problems with the lungs not working properly, which is a reason why swollen limbs tend to be an issue among this group. Edema, or swollen extremities, is a problem for a variety of reasons, but for COPD, it could be due to the inability to circulate oxygen to these areas. Due to this, fluid tends to develop in the feet and ankles and over time, they could look pretty swollen. If you notice that your feet and ankles have looked larger than normal (aside from any weight gain recently), then you should consider having them checked out by your doctor to see why this may be.
6. Wheezing
COPD is a tough condition that can restrict airflow to the lungs and body, leaving the body always looking for more air. The disease, which is characterized by an essentially narrowing of the airway, can create such a narrowing of this airway that you may begin to hear a faint whistle coming from your breathing patterns. This faint whistling is referred to as wheezing and it is a serious symptom that something is not right in your pulmonary system. If you notice a persisting wheezing noise when you breathe, you should get help from your doctor to see why you may be experiencing this.
7. Frequent Illness
Just with many other conditions, COPD usually has a side effect of lowering the immune response inside the body. While the immune system fights off foreign compounds from the environment in the lungs, this leaves other parts of the body vulnerable to infection, which is a common symptom. Colds and the common flu are two forms of illnesses that may be a frequent visitor throughout the days, so if you notice that you have been coming down with an illness more than what is normal and healthy then you should consider talking with your doctor as soon as you can to see why this may be.
8. Excessive Mucus
With a good amount of coughing come the compounds that come up with it. With COPD, individuals are known to have an excessive amount of mucus buildup in the airway, signifying that there are foreign invaders harming the lungs. Usually, throat clearing of mucus is something that individuals with COPD present complaints about upon visiting the doctor’s office. While a simple clearing of the throat is something we all do from time to time, excessive clearing and mucus could signify that something is not right within. If you notice that you have had excessive mucus, then consider getting checked by your doctor.
9. Out of Breath
There may come a time in every adult’s life when exercise causes the body to be out of breath and fatigued. This is something that comes with being a little out of shape and not used to high levels of physical exertion. However, when this same feeling comes when you have not necessarily over exerted yourself, like when you simply went on a mild walk, then this could be something that could indicate a serious problem with your lungs. The symptom of being out of breath is common among individuals with COPD and while it indicates being out of shape, it could mean that your lungs are struggling to properly oxygenate your body.
10. Tight Chest
One of the most serious of health symptoms includes chest pain. Usually, this is described by a burning or tight sensation in the chest that persists for a period of time. While tightness in the chest is something that usually indicates a cardiac problem, but it can also be a major issue for people with COPD. If you notice that you are having tightness in your chest, then you should not hesitate to get medical attention immediately. This is usually a serious symptom of COPD and of your heart and if you allow time to go by, then this could be bad for your health.
healthremediesjournal.com/10-top-symptoms-of-copd/1/
