Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Alternate Names : COPD, Chronic obstructive airways disease, Chronic obstructive lung disease, Chronic bronchitis, Emphysema, Bronchitis - chronic
Symptoms & Signs
- Cough with mucus
- Shortness of breath (dyspnea) that gets worse with mild activity
- Fatigue
- Frequent respiratory infections
- Wheezing
Since the symptoms of COPD develop slowly, some people may be unaware that they are sick.
Diagnosis & Tests
The best test for COPD is a simple lung function test called spirometry. This involves blowing out as hard as one can into a small machine that tests lung capacity. The test can be interpreted immediately and does not involve exercising, drawing blood, or exposure to radiation.
Using a stethoscope to listen to the lungs can also be helpful, although sometimes the lungs sound normal even when COPD is present. Pictures of the lungs (such as X-rays and CT scans) can be helpful but sometimes look normal even when a person has COPD. Sometimes it is necessary to do a blood test (call a “blood gas”) to measure the amounts of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood.
|
Previous
