These exacerbations can cause your COPD to get worse. An acute exacerbation -- those symptoms that put you in the "red zone," like fever, shaking chills, confusion, chest pain, and coughing up blood -- can land you in the hospital.
What are the signs of COPD exacerbation?
The most common signs and symptoms of an oncoming exacerbation are:
- More coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath than usual.
- Changes in the color, thickness, or amount of mucus.
- Feeling tired for more than one day.
- Swelling of the legs or ankles.
- More trouble sleeping than usual.
What happens during an exacerbation of COPD?
A: COPD exacerbations are associated with symptoms of worsening shortness of breath, cough and sputum production, and worsening of airway obstruction. Studies have shown that people with COPD can have worsening symptoms from baseline that resolve by themselves about half the time.
