The biggest indicators that your COPD is getting worse would be increased shortness of breath, less activity, or a reduced ability to move, climb stairs, or walk up a slight incline, says Robert A. Wise, MD, the medical director of the pulmonary function laboratory at the Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center in Baltimore. “A worsening cough, wheezing or chest tightening, and a change in phlegm — either in consistency, volume, or color — are other signs that your condition is getting worse,” says Dr. Wise.
Doctors prescribe a dozen different types of inhalers, and it’s quite common for people to use their inhaler in a less-than-optimal fashion. “Very often, if someone is worsening, it’s not a matter of changing their medication, but rather ensuring that they are using their inhaler properly,” he says.
Source link
