What should you know about COPD symptoms?

COPD is a long-term condition in which airflow through the lungs is limited. A cough may bring up mucus, and wheezing can sound like a high-pitched whistle, especially when breathing out. Breathlessness may begin during exertion and later affect routine activities. Symptoms can vary from day to day. A sudden change, such as more mucus, a change in its colour, fever or sharply increased breathlessness, can signal a flare-up or another illness. These symptoms are not specific to COPD, so assessment is needed rather than self-diagnosis.

Arrange a clinical assessment if symptoms persist, recur or limit walking, sleep or daily tasks. A clinician may listen to your chest, review smoking and exposure history, and offer spirometry to measure how air moves in and out. Keep a record of triggers, activity limits, inhalers and changes in mucus. If you smoke or use nicotine, support from a Smoking Cessation Programme can help you choose a stopping plan. A Chronic Disease Review can bring symptom control, inhaler technique and an action plan together.

Seek urgent help for severe or rapidly worsening breathlessness, blue or grey lips, new confusion, fainting, inability to speak in full sentences, or chest pain that is severe or does not settle. Contact a clinician promptly when usual treatment is not helping, you are coughing up blood, or a new infection-like illness is making breathing harder. Do not wait for a routine review if your breathing is deteriorating.

Could my symptoms have another cause? Do I need spirometry? How should I recognise and manage a flare-up? Can you check my inhaler technique and advise on stopping smoking?