Diagnosis of COPD

Symptomatology

The person has a productive cough on most days for at least 3 months in a year for more than one consecutive year.

In mild cases, symptoms of cough, breathlessness and sputum may only occur in the winter after a cold, but as the disease progresses, breathlessness can become a problem, and chest infections become more frequent.

Breathlessness may occur at first only on exertion (i.e. when climbing stairs), but in advanced disease, it will be present at rest. At this stage, the breathlessness will interfere with the ability to talk, and eat.

Weight loss is caused by reduced eating and reduced interest in eating, because of poor breathing ability. Many people with this condition have a feeling of tiredness, because of chronic lack of oxygen in the body. Other symptoms may be impaired memory and concentration, irritability, excessive daytime sleepiness.