What Are Common COPD Symptoms?
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It can be very subtle.
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People with COPD often experience exacerbations as well.
These are periods of time when symptoms flare up.
An exacerbation is when a chronic disease gets worse for some reason.
Exacerbations can also occur when environmental air pollution increases, he adds.
How Is COPD Diagnosed?
There are several ways a doctor may work to determine whether you have COPD.
Diagnosis focuses on distinguishing your symptoms from other chronic respiratory conditions, such asasthma.
Physical signs may include cyanosis (blueness of the lips and fingernail beds).
We can frequently hear the air obstruction when we listen to the chest, says Edelman.
There are several ways in which a doctor can diagnose COPD.
Paul Boyce, MD, MPH, is the medical director of the pulmonary hypertension program atNorthside Hospitalin Atlanta.
Joseph Bennington-Castro is a science writer based in Hawaii.
Becky Upham has been professionally involved in health and wellness for almost 20 years.
Upham enjoys teaching cycling classes, running, reading fiction, and making playlists.
7 Signs Your COPD Is Getting Worse
