While COPD is a long-term respiratory disease, its effects aren’t limited to the lungs and airways. COPD and the medications used to treat it can impact many parts of the body over time and lead to a variety of complications, including heart problems, osteoporosis, and depression. The good news is that by working with your doctor to manage your COPD and slow its progression, you can significantly reduce your likelihood of developing complications. Exacerbations can also occur from inhaling irritating substances from the environment like air pollution or allergens. Symptoms of an exacerbation include:
Increased shortness of breathWheezingChest tightnessIncreased mucus production or a change in mucus colorWorsening of a chronic cough, or development of a new cough
If you smoke, get help to quit.Avoid being around others with colds or the flu.Stay up-to-date on vaccinations, including those for COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia.Stick to your treatment regimen even on days when you’re feeling well.Wash your hands often and use hand sanitizer when you don’t have access to a sink
RELATED: Can You Stop the Progression of COPD? “People with COPD often have low levels of oxygen in the blood, which is known as hypoxia,” says Dr. Pistenmaa. “Over time, hypoxia can cause the vessels [between the heart and lungs and within the lungs] to constrict, which increases the pressure in those arteries.” Over time, even mildly low oxygen levels can lead to pulmonary hypertension, she adds. Emphysema, which causes damage to the air sacs in the lungs, can also destroy small blood vessels in the lungs, which then increases pressure in other vessels. As pulmonary hypertension progresses, other symptoms include:
Ankle and leg swellingBluish color of the lips or skinChest pain or pressure, most often in the front of the chestDizziness or fainting spellsFatigueIncreased abdomen sizeWeakness
Mild pulmonary hypertension typically doesn’t require any treatments other than management of the underlying COPD, says Pistenmaa. RELATED: 7 Ways to Ease Emphysema Symptoms The more advanced your COPD, the more likely you are to experience a collapsed lung. As a result, the best way to reduce your risk of pneumothorax is to get the right treatment for your COPD, notes Pistenmaa. It’s also important to recognize and treat exacerbations early. This can reduce your risk of lung damage that can lead to a collapsed lung. RELATED: 12 Ways to Breathe Better With COPD In addition, COPD symptoms like breathlessness and fatigue can interfere with your ability to exercise and be active. Over time, inactivity can cause a gradual loss of bone density and the development of osteoporosis. There are a number of ways people with COPD can protect their bones and reduce their risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Some key steps you can take:
If you smoke, get help to quit.Eat a healthy diet rich in calcium and vitamin D.Do weight-bearing exercise, such as walking, lifting weights, or working out with stretch bands — these activities stimulate bones to rebuild and become denser.Talk to your doctor about taking daily calcium and vitamin D supplements.
“The shortness of breath that comes along with CODP can lead to a vicious cycle in which the breathlessness makes you feel anxious, then that anxiety makes you breathe even faster, which can further increase anxiety,” says Pistenmaa. “This can spiral and lead to a panic attack.”
