Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease symptoms

COPD is a heterogeneous disease that may present itself in different ways, and manifests with various symptoms, with hospital admissions, or with a significant worsening of lung function. Exacerbations are a critical element in the evolution of COPD.

Exacerbations of COPD are recurrent episodes in which the patient refers to a sustained worsening of the usual respiratory symptoms, more than their daily variation and do not respond to outpatient treatment.

The decompensation can be characterised by an increase in the volume of phlegm, changes in the colour of the sputum, increase in shortness of breath (dyspnoea) or general signs, such as fever and tiredness (asthenia).

The exacerbations are caused by bacterial or virus infections in more than 50% of cases. In seasonal periods, respiratory viruses (rhinovirus, flu, syncytial respiratory virus, among others) are the most common cause of decompensation. The majority of acute exacerbation episodes can be treated adequately in Primary Care Centres, and the clinical signs improve within a few days. However, some exacerbations can be severe and require treatment and hospital admission. The frequency in the number of exacerbations is significantly related to the long-term prognosis, as well as to an increase in mortality.