How to Recognize the Early Signs of COPD
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

How to Recognize the Early Signs of COPD

November is COPD Awareness Month and an important step in helping the estimated 18 million Americans living with the undiagnosed condition to learn the symptoms and begin treatment.

The sixth leading cause of death in the U.S., COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. COPD refers to several chronic lung diseases that limit airflow in and out of the lungs. These include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthma. COPD is a chronic disease that worsens over time as the damaged lung tissue does not repair itself. However, early diagnosis can lead to treatment that can slow the progression of the disease, improve symptoms, reduce the need for hospital stays out of hospital, and lead to a longer life.  

 

Common early symptoms of COPD include:

  • Shortness of breath after exertion or, in severe cases, after minimal exertion or even at rest

  • A lingering cough with or without mucous

  • Wheezing

  • Tightness in your chest

  • Weight loss

  • Difficulty sleeping

  • Fatigue

  • A blue tinge to the skin caused by insufficient oxygen

  • Reoccurring lung infections like acute bronchitis or pneumonia

 

It’s important to note that you don’t need to experience all these symptoms to have COPD.

In addition, COPD can develop slowly over time. As the disease progresses, symptoms often get increasingly worse. Very often, people find themselves cutting back on their day-to-day routines and activities in response to symptoms, which has the unfortunate effect of further reducing lung function.

Take a free online COPD Risk Screener

The COPD Foundation offers a free online risk screener to help you assess your symptoms.

Comprised of five simple question, it takes less than a minute to complete and can help you—and your health care provider—assess your risk for having the disease.
Click HERE to take the risk screener.

 

Again, there are ways to manage and treat COPD. The sooner you get diagnosed, the sooner you can begin a treatment plan to keep your lungs as healthy as possible for as long as possible.

Diagnosing COPD involves a simple, non-invasive breathing test called spirometry. Other measures used to confirm a diagnosis include:

  • a physical examination

  • medical history

  • gas transfer and lung volume tests

  • blood tests

  • sputum analysis

  • chest x-ray

  • computed tomography (CT) scan.

If you’re diagnosed with COPD, treatment options may include medications, oxygen therapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation. While treatment will not repair damaged lung tissue, it can help slow the disease’s progress and prevent further loss of lung function.

If you’re experiencing symptoms or are concerned about COPD, contact your healthcare provider to schedule an appointment to be evaluated. 

 

Disha Geriani, MD specializes in pulmonary medicine and critical care at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington.

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Ways to Help

At this difficult time, leaders and staff at Southwestern Vermont Health Care appreciate support from our communities. There are three major ways for members of the community to help front-line staff in their efforts to save lives.


Donate Funds
If you are able, donating money to the Southwestern Vermont Health Care Foundation COVID-19 Relief Fund is the most beneficial way to ensure staff have the vital equipment they need. The COVID-19 Relief Fund will be used to create additional negative pressure rooms; purchase life-saving supplies, such as ventilators, respirators, additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE); implement a surge plan to expand patient care areas, including an off-site Respiratory Evaluation Center (REC); support of employees in distress; meet the need for assistance among patients and our communities. And now the CARES Act makes donating to non-profits more beneficial financially. Donations may be made online at svhealthcare.org/give-now.


Send Food to Staff
SVMC deployed an online tool to facilitate community members sending meals to front-line staff during the COVID-19 crisis. Community members can visit mealtrain.com/trains/v1w8yz and volunteer to purchase a meal for as few as two staff members or as many as 25. All recommended restaurants will make no-contact deliveries to SVMC in Bennington, the Centers for Living and Rehabilitation in Bennington, and the Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation in Hoosick Falls, NY.

 

Donate Personal Protective Equipment
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center is requesting the community to assist with donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The hospital currently needs the following PPE: N95 Masks, typically found in industrial businesses and home workshops; Nitrile gloves in all sizes; home-sewn cotton masks; and home-sewn cloth surgical caps, known also as scrub caps and skull caps. PPE donations are accepted through Catherine Hagadorn, program coordinator for the Quality, Safety, and Value Department, by e-mailing Catherine.Hagadorn@svhealthcare.org or calling 802-447-5600.

 

SVHC's medical team and essential staff are extremely grateful to the community for every contribution. Thank you! 

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