Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations may last for two days or even two weeks, depending on the severity of the symptoms. Sometimes, COPD exacerbations may require antibiotics, oral corticosteroids and hospitalization. As your lung function deteriorates in the advanced stages of COPD, exacerbations can increase in frequency and eventually become persistent.
What is a COPD exacerbation?
A COPD exacerbation, or flare-up, occurs when your COPD respiratory symptoms worsen suddenly. You may have trouble breathing, cough and wheeze more than usual and have trouble sleeping.
Exacerbations are typically caused by a viral or bacterial lung infection, but they can also be triggered by things or situations that cause breathing difficulties, such as:
Frequent flare-ups can eventually lead to:
What are the warning signs of a COPD exacerbation?
It’s important to be aware of symptoms of COPD flare-ups so that you can identify them earlier when they are easier to treat. Signs of an oncoming COPD exacerbation include:
- Shortness of breath
- Noisy, wheezy breathing sounds
- Coughing, sometimes with more mucus than usual
- Changes in the thickness, color or amount of mucus
- Inability to take deep breaths
- Morning headaches
- Trouble sleeping
- Feeling tired for more than one day
- Anxiety
- Abdominal pain
- Swelling of the ankles or legs
Some warning signs can be dangerous. Call 911 if you experience the following symptoms:
- Severe shortness of breath or chest pain
- Grey or pale skin
- Blue or purple lips or fingers
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Trouble speaking in full sentences
How to manage a COPD exacerbation
At the first sign of a flare-up, take the following measures to help manage your symptoms:
- Avoid panicking.
- Take medicines as directed. These may include quick-relief inhalers, oral steroids or antibiotics, anti-anxiety medicines or medicine through a nebulizer.
- Take antibiotics if your physician prescribes them.
- Use oxygen if prescribed.
- Breathe slowly. Use pursed lip breathing to save energy.
If your symptoms do not resolve within 48 hours or worsen over time, call your doctor or go to the hospital.
How to prevent a COPD exacerbation
If your COPD exacerbations are frequent, the following methods may help prevent them:
- Stop smoking and avoid being exposed to smoke.
- Take medicines as directed.
- Research exercise, breathing and nutrition tips.
- Stay away from people with colds and the flu.
- Wash your hands frequently. Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Get all recommended vaccines, including flu shots every year.
- Avoid cold air.
- Avoid air pollutants, such as fireplace smoke and dust.
- Try to stay as active as possible.
- Take breaks throughout the day to give your lungs time to recover between activities.
- Eat a healthy diet rich in lean proteins, fish, fruit and vegetables.
- Stay hydrated throughout the day but do not drink liquids with meals.
QUESTION
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is the same as adult-onset asthma. See AnswerReferences
Medline Plus. COPD Flare-Ups. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000698.htm
Donaldson GC, Law M, Kowlessar B, et al. Impact of Prolonged Exacerbation Recovery in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;192(8):943-950. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4642208/
Donaldson GC, Law M, Kowlessar B, et al. Impact of Prolonged Exacerbation Recovery in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015;192(8):943-950. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4642208/
Complete List
Top How Long Do COPD Exacerbations Last? Related Articles
acetylcysteine
Acetylcysteine, a mucolytic agent, is used to treat pulmonary diseases like chronic emphysema, asthmatic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, and acute pneumonia. Acetylcysteine breaks up mucus and makes it easier to cough up and clear the lungs. Common side effects include bronchospasm, odor, drowsiness, fever, coughing up blood (hemoptysis), increased volume of bronchial secretions, irritation of tracheal or bronchial tract, nausea, and others. Do not use if you have acute asthma. Consult your doctor if you have a history of bronchospasm, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.albuterol and ipratropium inhaler (Combivent Respimat)
Albuterol and ipratropium inhaler (Combivent [discontinued], Combivent Respimat) is prescribed for the treatment of bronchospasm or narrowing of the airways caused by emphysema or bronchitis in individuals who require a second bronchodilator. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precautions, and pregnancy safety should be reviewed prior to taking this drug.
Can People With COPD Get Better?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is not curable in any stage of the disease. With early diagnosis and treatment, disease progression and flare-ups can be controlled.
Can Someone with COPD Still Have Sex?
COPD is a condition that leads to blockage of the airway. COPD may lead to sexual dysfunction, but you can still have sex with COPD.
Can You Have Emphysema Without COPD?
Emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) both refer to a group of long-standing lung conditions that can make breathing difficult. What is the difference between emphysema and COPD?cefuroxime
Cefuroxime is an antibiotic used to treat infections of the middle ear, sinuses, skin, tonsils, and throat, and to treat laryngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, gonorrhea, COPD, and early Lyme disease. Common side effects of cefuroxime include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, rash, hives, vaginitis, and mouth ulcers.
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a lung condition caused by smoking tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke, and/or air pollutants. Conditions that accompany COPD include chronic bronchitis, chronic cough, and emphysema.Symptoms of COPD include shortness of breath, wheezing, and chronic cough. Treatment of COPD includes GOLD guidelines, smoking cessation, medications, and surgery. The life expectancy of a person with COPD depends on the stage of the disease.
COPD Quiz
COPD is a combination of three conditions? Take this quiz to learn the three conditions that make up the pulmonary disease called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Energy Foods for COPD
What are COPD foods to avoid that may trigger symptoms? Learn more about the COPD diet. Boost your energy and combat COPD with these diet tips.
COPD Lung Symptoms
COPD is a pulmonary disorder caused by obstructions in the airways of the lungs leading to breathing problems. Learn about COPD symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.
COPD vs. Asthma (Differences and Similarities)
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and asthma both have common symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and a tight feeling in the chest. COPD is caused by tobacco smoking, while asthma is caused by your inherited genetic makeup and their interactions with the environment. Risk factors for asthma are obesity, exposure to cigarette smoke (even secondhand smoke), and personal history of hay fever. There is no cure for either disease, but symptoms can be managed with medication. A person with asthma has a better prognosis and life expectancy than someone with COPD.
COPD vs. Emphysema
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is the term doctors and other healthcare professionals use to describe a group of serious, progressive (worsens over time), chronic lung diseases that include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and sometimes asthma. The number one cause of COPD or emphysema, is smoking, and smoking is the third leading cause of death in the US.End-Stage COPD: Signs, Symptoms, and Prognosis
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases causing an inflammatory reaction and irreversible damage to the lungs. They cause obstruction of airflow and difficulty breathing.
Exercises for COPD
The more you exercise, the better you'll feel with COPD. Breathe easier with these 10 exercises from WebMD.ipratropium bromide inhaler
Ipratropium bromide inhaler is a medication prescribed for the treatment of allergic or nonallergic rhinitis and rhinitis due to the common cold. Oral ipratropium is prescribed for the treatment of acute asthma flares and bronchospasms that result from COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and emphysema. The most common side effects associated with ipratropium are dry mouth, cough, headache, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing.Spiriva
Spiriva (tiotropium bromide) is an oral inhalation powder for long-term, once-daily, maintenance treatment of bronchospasm associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), including chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Spiriva HandiHaler reduces exacerbations in COPD patients and improves lung function for 24 hours. Spiriva HandiHaler is not a rescue medicine and should not be used for treating sudden breathing problems. It is not known if Spiriva HandiHaler is safe and effective in children. Signs of a serious allergic reaction to Spiriva include hives, itching, rash, swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat that may cause difficulty in breathing or swallowing.sterile talc powder
Sterile talc powder is administered as an aerosol spray or slurry through a chest tube into the pleural cavity to prevent the recurrence of malignant pleural effusion. Common side effects of sterile talc powder include pain and fever. Side effects from talc powder delivery procedure include infection at thoracostomy/thoracoscopy site, localized bleeding, and collection of pus in the tissue beneath the skin (subcutaneous empyema). Consult your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding.What are the Four Stages of COPD?
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a group of diseases that cause an inflammatory reaction and irreversible damage in the lungs. The result is obstruction of normal airflow and breathing difficulties. COPD is a lifelong condition with periods of flare ups, and is not curable in any stage of the disease. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the most common diseases that make up COPD.
What Is the Life Expectancy of Someone With COPD?
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of diseases with the chief symptom of breathlessness and cough. COPD is a slowly progressive disease. Depending on the disease severity, the five-year life expectancy for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ranges from 40%-70%. That means 40-70 out of 100 people will be alive after five years of diagnosis of COPD.