Symptoms

Your symptoms might not happen all the time at the beginning. You might cough up mucus in the morning or feel more breathless than usual. But as the condition gets worse, you might find it harder to do everyday things without getting breathless, like using the stairs, gardening, hanging out the washing or carrying groceries. 

Common COPD symptoms include:

Shortness of breath

A cough that keeps coming back and doesn’t get better

More phlegm or mucus

Feeling tired

More chest infections

Taking longer to get better from a cold or chest infection.

COPD flare-up of symptoms

A “flare-up” is when your symptoms get worse quickly, usually over a few days. It can be caused by an infection (often a virus) or by things in the air that irritate your lungs. Flare-ups are more common in winter and can make everyday things harder. 

It’s important to know the early signs of a flare-up so you can start treatment quickly. If you think you might be having a flare-up, you should make an appointment with your doctor. 

Common flare-up symptoms include:

• Coughing more than usual
• Finding it harder to breathe 
• Changes in your phlegm (more or thicker)
• Being more tired than usual.

You might need to go to hospital if you have any of the symptoms above and at least one of these:

• You find it hard to talk
• You find it hard to walk
• You can’t sleep because you’re short of breath
• You feel drowsy or confused
• Your lips or fingernails turn grey or blue
• Your heartbeat is very fast or irregular.

It’s better to act early. Waiting for more than 24 hours before getting treatment for a flare-up doubles your chance of needing to go to the hospital. 

COPD Action Plan

Our COPD Action Plan helps you to understand your normal, everyday symptoms and medicines. The guide also helps you to know when your symptoms change or get worse and what to do.

Reducing breathlessness

Many people find that using a battery-operated fan helps control breathlessness. Research shows that a cool breeze from a hand-held fan can be very effective in reducing this symptom. You can use your fan as often and for as long as you like. Keep it handy at home and take it with you when you go out. It might help to use your fan if you stop for a ‘breather’ after doing something that makes you breathless, like walking, climbing stairs or if you suddenly get breathless when you’re still.

Anxiety and depression

Anxiety and depression are common in people with COPD and often happen together. The good news is that there are effective treatments for COPD and for anxiety and depression. With careful management, the symptoms of anxiety and depression can be treated along with those of COPD so they don’t get in the way of your life. Have a look at our page on supporting your mental health to discover some steps you can take.

My COPD checklist

Use our checklist as a quick and easy way to understand which parts of your COPD care are going well and where you can improve. You’ll get a personalised report with tips to help you manage your condition better or support someone you love.

Complete the COPD checklist

Resources