A COPD Diagnosis Begins with Recognizing COPD Symptoms
By Deborah Leader, RN, About.com Guide to COPD
Do you have shortness of breath or a nagging cough that is finally starting to take its toll? Recognizing the symptoms of COPD is the first step toward obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Could It Be COPD?
Just because you have one or several symptoms of COPD does not necessarily mean that you have the disease. Learn how to recognize symptoms of COPD and get a firm handle on your life.
- What is COPD?
- Risk Factors of COPD
- Symptoms of COPD
- The Emotional Effects of COPD
- Types of COPD and How to Manage Them
- What Does it Mean to Have an Asthma Component to My COPD?
- Why Does My Chest Feel Tight?
- Why Do I Have So Much Mucus?
- Why Are My Ankles Swollen?
- I Have a Bad Cough - Do I Have COPD?
- What is Dyspnea?
- The Difference Between Emphysema and Chronic Bronchisis
- Symptoms of Bronchiectasis
- Symptoms of Chronic Brohchitis
- Symptoms of Emphysema
COPD Diagnosis
A COPD diagnosis starts with an in-depth history and physical and is followed by a battery of tests designed to help your doctor evaluate your lung function.
- Diagnosis of COPD
- Understanding COPD Pathophysiology
- Diagnosis of Emphysema
- Understanding Pulmonary Function Tests
What About COPD Complications?
Having COPD makes you vulnerable to certain COPD complications. Find out how to recognize COPD complications and what you can do about them once they've occurred.
- Overview of COPD Complications
- Picture Gallery of COPD Complications
- COPD Exacerbation
- How to Prevent COPD Exacerbation
- Bacterial Pneumonia: Are You at Risk?
- Deaths From Swine Flu Related To Baceterial Pneumonia
- Secondary Polycythemia
- Respiratory Failure
- Cor-Pulmonale
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- How Do Hot Temperatures Affect COPD?
- Malnutrition
So, You've Been Diagnosed with COPD: Now What?
Now that you have been diagnosed with COPD, it is important for you to to inundate yourself with as much information about the disease as possible. Knowing what you are up against will help you better understand what to do about it.
- How do Your Lungs Work?
- Facts About COPD
- 5 Things Everyone Should Know About COPD
- Diagnosis of COPD
- Facts About Emphysema
- Facts About Chronic Bronchitis
- Facts About Bronchietasis
- Alpha-1-Antitrypsin Deficiency
- Test Your Knowledge: Take the COPD Quiz
COPD Research
COPD research is important, because with it comes new hope for better treatments for COPD. Learn more about COPD research and how to participate in a COPD clinical trial.
- Are COPD Clinical Trials Right for You?
- Types of Clinical Trials
- Phases of Clinical Trials
- Where to Find COPD Clinical Trials
- 15 Questions to Ask Your Doctor About COPD Clinical Trials
Share Your Thoughts
One of the best ways to share suggestions or learn information from others about COPD is through User Answers. A unique, interactive tool designed to enrich the reader's experience, User Answers are fun and easy to participate in, and allow readers to have their suggestions and comments be part of real, live About.com articles.
