What Is a COPD Exacerbation Flare, and What Are Its Symptoms?
A chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation flare is an increase in the usual severity of symptoms of COPD.
The signs of a flare-up are a worsening of whatever the person's usual COPD symptoms are. These may include:
- An increase in frequency and severity of coughing.
- Increased production of phlegm (sputum or mucus) when coughing.
- A change in the appearance of the phlegm.
- Increased shortness of breath.
One should always seek prompt medical evaluation for signs of a COPD exacerbation flare. Without treatment, people may experience life-threatening breathing problems. If someone with COPD seems extremely short of breath or passes out, call 911 right away.
Some COPD exacerbations require treatment in the hospital for a few days, while others can be safely treated in an outpatient setting. In severe cases, people with COPD exacerbations may need to be on a ventilator, or breathing machine, until their flare-up resolves.
More than half of exacerbation flares are caused by an infection in the lungs or airways, either viral or bacterial. Another 10 percent are triggered by air pollution. In 30 to 40 percent of cases, though, the cause can't be pinpointed.
In addition, many other conditions affecting the heart and lungs share the symptoms of a COPD exacerbation flare. These include heart attacks, blood clots in the lungs, or heart failure. That's another reason it's always important to get an evaluation when anyone's COPD symptoms seem acutely worse.
my husband has had a few flare ups that they diagnosed as exacerbated COPD and he is hospotilized and given aggressive antiobiodics. once he had ro be intubated and than bek God came out of it. I wonder though if they can treat him at home with the liquid antiobiodics when that happens instead of continuously taking him to ER because he gets very upset and stressed at having to go through the emergency room procedure and he gets worked up and impatient and starts getting anxious and stressed out which is not good for a diabetic, yes he has diabetes also..
I was just recently Diagnosed with COPD and this is very shocking to me i was hospitalized with an exacerbated flare of COPD so i guess i have had it for a while. i was in the hospital for 2 weeks and was on oxygen the whole time so now i am looking into this disease and it scares me. I am only 43 years old.
sandie66 I was diagnozed with copd when I was about 35. I,m now 73. It has not been easy. I have huffed and puffed everywher i go. Take the medicine and insure you do only what your able to do
I am 52, was 45 when diagnosed with lung cancer and given 6 months to live. They told me I have COPD as a result, after having one lung removed. It was like they told me I have the flu - go home, rest, and here's an albuterol inhaler. Never told me it is fatal, never told me there are stages, just that it's what I have and sent me home. Maybe it was because I had the time limit on life, don't know, but they should have told me more, this disease is fatal!!
My heart goes out to all of you. COPD is a tough diagnosis. And everyone responds differently. When my mother was first diagnosed, she didn't want to know too much about it. Her doctor's would answer her questions when asked but no more. She never really wanted to know how long she had or what to expect in the final stages. Nor did she want me to know.
Other people are very comforted by knowing what to expect. If you are one of these people, keeping asking and insisting that your questions are answered until you are satisfied. There is no right or wrong way to handle this disease. Each person has to do what they think is best for them. Take care.
I understand what you are all going through because I too live with COPD. Two years I had a very bad case of pneumonia, was hospitalized, never fully cured and ended up with this disease due to mismanagement. I would definitely recommend that if you have repetative continuous flare ups go in a see a speciatist and get a solid base line as to where you are now. This may mean a test or two but they are worth it to be treated properly and it may mean added years to your life. This can also cause heart problems which they often do not tell you. All information that you can read about is a plus but each of us is affected differently and it is critical that you get to a Physician that will explain and discuss your health with you, if he/she does not, Please find a different Doctor who will actively help you and answer all your questions. There are new treatment proticols being tried today with antibiotics if you have a lot of flare ups, ask about them!! God Bless!
