Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is usually accompanied by the presence of three main symptoms:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath

Because COPD normally results from one of two different lung conditions, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, the symptoms associated with these diseases can also occur in patients.

The symptoms of chronic bronchitis typically include shortness of breath, a nagging cough (often with mucus) and respiratory infection. A diagnosis is often made only after the person has experienced a nagging cough, with quite a bit of mucus, for at least one-quarter of a year, for two years in a row. Because lying flat tends to aggravate symptoms, people in late stages of chronic bronchitis are forced to sleep while sitting up. During these late stages, people may show signs such as a bluish tint to the skin (cyanosis) and/or fluid buildup (edema).

As emphysema develops, shortness of breath is often the first symptom that people notice. Over time, other symptoms appear: a nagging cough (often with mucus), and a gradually worsening ability to exhale. As the disease progresses, it gets harder for people to breathe while physically active. In late stages of the disease, people wheeze and feel like they cannot get enough air even while at rest. At this point, that patient’s overly inflated lungs may produce signs such as flushed skin and an over-inflated chest.

In those cases where COPD and asthma coexist, more intermittent chest symptoms may tend to occur. Nighttime chest symptoms and symptoms that occur as a result of exposure to allergens take place more frequently in these cases.