Don’t ignore these early symptoms! They may be a warning sign of COPD

With the development of social industrialization and the intensification of environmental pollution, the incidence of respiratory diseases has increased year by year. Among them, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and serious respiratory disease that is gradually threatening people's health. Because its early symptoms are relatively hidden, many patients are already in the middle and late stages of the disease when diagnosed, missing the best time for treatment. Therefore, understanding the early symptoms of COPD, timely detection and intervention are of great significance to improving the prognosis of patients.

1. What is COPD?

COPD is a preventable and treatable disease characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible and tends to be progressive.

Simply put, the patient's airways become narrowed, and the flow of air in and out of the lungs is blocked, which makes breathing difficult, and this condition gradually worsens over time. COPD mainly includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. When the disease develops to a certain extent, it will seriously affect the patient's daily life and even endanger his life.

2. Early symptoms of COPD

(1) Chronic cough. Chronic cough is one of the most common early symptoms of COPD, usually manifested as intermittent cough, especially in the morning. As the disease progresses, the cough may gradually worsen and even develop into a persistent cough. This cough is mostly dry cough, and may also be accompanied by a small amount of white mucus sputum.

(2) Coughing up phlegm. Coughing up phlegm is a common symptom in patients with COPD. Patients usually cough up a small amount of white mucus or serous foamy sputum. During the acute exacerbation of the disease, the amount of sputum may increase significantly and even become purulent. If there is blood in the sputum, it should be taken seriously.

(3) Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. Shortness of breath is a hallmark symptom of COPD. In the early stages, it may only occur during physical activity, such as feeling breathless when climbing stairs or walking briskly. As the disease progresses, the difficulty breathing will gradually worsen, and you may even feel short of breath during daily activities or rest. If you feel like you can’t climb stairs or blow out birthday candles, it may be a sign of decreased lung function.

(4) Wheezing and chest tightness. Although wheezing and chest tightness are not specific symptoms of COPD, many patients, especially those with severe illness, may experience these symptoms. Wheezing usually manifests as wheezing sounds when breathing, while chest tightness may be related to labored breathing and contraction of the intercostal muscles.

(5) Systemic symptoms. Some patients may experience early systemic symptoms such as general fatigue, tiredness, and lack of energy. As the disease progresses, they may also experience weight loss, loss of appetite, and peripheral muscle atrophy. These symptoms indicate that the disease may have affected overall health.

3. How to detect COPD early

Regular lung function tests and attention to details in life can help detect COPD early and allow for timely intervention.

(1) Pulmonary function test. Pulmonary function test is the "gold standard" for diagnosing COPD. It determines the condition by detecting the degree of airflow limitation. (2) Imaging examination. Imaging examinations such as chest X-rays and CT scans can help doctors observe changes in lung structure and thus assist in the diagnosis of COPD. In particular, chest CT scans have a higher sensitivity for evaluating early COPD. (3) Pay attention to small details in life. Some small details in life may be early signs of COPD. For example, inability to blow out birthday candles, shortness of breath when climbing stairs, unexplained low fever, etc. If these situations occur, you should seek medical attention in time.

4. High-risk groups need to be particularly vigilant

The onset of COPD is related to a variety of factors. The following groups are at high risk and should pay special attention to early symptoms:

(1) Long-term smokers: Smoking is the main risk factor for COPD, including people who are exposed to secondhand smoke for a long time. (2) People over 40 years old: Age is one of the important risk factors for COPD. (3) Occupational exposure population: People who are exposed to dust, chemicals or air pollution for a long time. (4) People with family history: People with COPD in their family. (5) People with recurrent respiratory tract infections: People who have repeatedly suffered from lower respiratory tract infections in infancy and childhood.

5. Prevention and management

(1) Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption. Smoking is the main cause of COPD, and quitting smoking is the most effective measure to prevent COPD. For non-smokers, avoid inhaling secondhand smoke. At the same time, limit alcohol intake to reduce irritation to the respiratory tract. (2) Get vaccinated. People over 40 years old should be vigilant about COPD, which is closely related to age. It is recommended to get vaccinated against influenza and pneumonia to reduce the probability of respiratory tract infection and protect lung health. (3) Reduce exposure to harmful environments. Try to avoid contact with indoor and outdoor air pollution, dust and chemicals. Go out less in foggy weather, wear a mask when going out, use ventilation equipment, etc. to reduce the inhalation of harmful particles and gases. (4) Strengthen exercise. Moderate physical exercise, such as walking, jogging, Tai Chi, etc., can help strengthen physical fitness and improve immunity. But be careful to avoid overwork. (5) Prevent infection. Pay attention to personal hygiene, wash hands frequently, and avoid contact with sources of infection.

"Medical Herald" 24th issue 42, author: Xu Rongpo, Luoding People's Hospital