Signs and symptoms of COPD exacerbations

If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it’s important to know about COPD exacerbations. These events are potentially serious and even life threatening. Learn how to identify a COPD exacerbation and what to do if you suspect you’re having one.

What is a COPD exacerbation?

A COPD exacerbation is when you have increased symptoms that last more than a day and don’t go away with rest and inhaler usage. These events are also sometimes called COPD flare ups or lung attacks. Common COPD exacerbation symptoms include:

• Worsening breathlessness
• Increased cough frequency or severity
• Increased phlegm production
• Fever

What causes COPD exacerbations, and how do I prevent them?

COPD is a disease caused by permanent damage to the lungs. While some COPD flare ups aren’t caused by anything in particular, many others come about due to external factors. Avoiding these stressors and causes can help you prevent COPD exacerbations. Some common factors include:

• Respiratory infections, like colds, flu and pneumonia
• Allergies, including pollen, mold and pet dander
• Air quality, like extreme heat or cold and high or low humidity

Knowing your physical exertion limits, wearing masks when there’s lots of pollen and getting vaccinated for COVID-19, RSV, shingles and the flu can help you avoid preventable COPD exacerbations.

What do I do if I think I’m having a COPD exacerbation?

Not every instance of breathlessness or coughing fits are a true COPD flare up. COPD exacerbations last for longer than 24 hours, and can only be officially diagnosed by a medical professional.

If you’re having increased COPD symptoms for longer than 24 hours, contact your family physician. Consider going to urgent care or emergency room if you can’t see your primary care doctor quickly and if you have symptoms like fever or significant trouble breathing. Call 911 if you believe you are in the middle of an active health emergency.

How will doctors treat my COPD exacerbation?

A doctor will treat your COPD exacerbation depending on its cause and your daily COPD treatment regimen. If you have an infection, they can help treat it with antibiotics or antiviral medicine. You may also be treated with steroids that can help reduce inflammation.

During your visit, your physician will recommend a follow-up visit a week after your discharge. They can also help you identify COPD exacerbation triggers, refer you to a pulmonary specialist and even review inhaler technique to help prevent future flare ups from happening.