respiratory health

COPD symptoms

Related articles: COPD

Definition

COPD is a long-term disease that affects the airways (bronchi), reducing the flow of air into and out of the lungs, making breathing difficult. COPD is the acronym for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; in particular, the chronic adjective underlines the incomplete reversibility of the condition, which can however be controlled by improving the symptoms and slowing the damage to the lungs. Smoking is the main cause of COPD; there is also correlation with regard to atmospheric pollution.

Most common symptoms and signs *

  • Respiratory acidosis
  • Anorexia
  • Asthenia
  • palpitations
  • Catarrh
  • Cyanosis
  • Language difficulties
  • Dyspnoea
  • Distension of the neck veins
  • Drumstick fingers
  • hemoptysis
  • Shortness of breath
  • Atrial fibrillation
  • Atrial flutter
  • Insomnia
  • Hypercapnia
  • Hypertrophy of the accessory muscles of respiration
  • macrocytosis
  • Thinness
  • myoclonus
  • Osteopenia
  • Weight loss
  • pneumothorax
  • Polycythemia
  • Paradoxical pulse
  • presyncope
  • Rectal prolapse
  • Uterine prolapse
  • Wheezing breath
  • Reduction of respiratory noise
  • Blood in Saliva
  • Sense of suffocation
  • tachypnoea
  • Barrel chest
  • Cough

Further indications

Bronchial obstructions and mucus hypersecretion (phlegm) are the characteristic symptoms of COPD. At least two forms are clinically distinguished, characterized by some common and different symptoms. In any case, the presence of cough and phlegm persistent for several weeks, as well as a reduced ability to sustain physical efforts, should direct the subject to an expert visit.