Symptoms of COPD generally begin around middle age (40 years or older), but worsen over time if not properly managed. Identifying and reporting any symptoms of COPD to your doctor is crucial for early diagnosis.

The symptoms of COPD that are most commonly observed include:

-Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity
-Wheezing (breathing with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest)
-A chronic (ongoing) cough that also produces large amount of mucus
-A feeling of tightness in the chest

If your lungs continue to become damaged, more severe symptoms of COPD can include:

-Increased difficulty in catching your breath
-Increased difficulty in talking
-Difficulty in staying mentally alert (a sign of low oxygen levels in the blood)
-Your fingernails and lips turn blue (also a sign of low oxygen levels in the blood)
-Your heartbeat becomes irregularly fast
-A barrel-shaped chest due to the air trapped inside the lungs