Page 5   ©  2 00 0   In   the  K n ow ,   I nc . COPD develops gradually over a long period of time.  It usually takes years of cigarette smoking before symptoms become noticeable.   Keep in mind that not everyone with COPD will progress in the same way...and the severity of symptoms can vary from person to person, too.    COPD might develop something like this: · Jim started smoking cigarettes when he was 19.  Now, he’s 27.  His wife wants him to quit smoking, but Jim hasn’t noticed any symptoms of lung damage, so he keeps on smoking. · At age 31, Jim starts to develop a chronic cough.  Sometimes he coughs up a small amount of mucus.   · When Jim turns 40, he begins to notice some occasional shortness of breath.   As the years go by, his shortness of breath gets worse and worse.   · When he turns 47, Jim finally sees a doctor who diagnoses COPD and starts Jim on some treatments.  Jim notices a little bit of improvement at first—less coughing and fewer episodes of shortness of breath.  He decides it’s okay to continue smoking—just a few cigarettes a day.    · In his early 50’s, Jim starts to slowly get worse.   His COPD is progressing—in spite of medical treatments.   Jim has repeated coughing attacks and constant shortness of breath.  He loses his job and can no longer support his family.   · Now, each time Jim has a coughing attack, it takes longer and longer for him to feel better.    (Unfortunately, his lungs suffered a lot of damage before he finally went to a doctor.  This makes it harder to manage the COPD.)   · By age 55, Jim’s damaged lungs barely work.   He has to gasp for every breath of air.  Jim dies at the young age of 56—leaving a wife and two teenaged children. 3.  Severe COPD · Severe shortness of breath with even the smallest amount of exercise.    · Coughing continues to get worse and there is too much mucus.    · Respiratory infections get worse and tend to keep coming back.    · Skin may have a bluish color to it.    · Chest may get larger—taking on the shape of a barrel.    1.  Mild COPD    · Coughing and mucus.   · There may be no other early signs of COPD. 2.  Moderate COPD · Shortness of breath after moderate exercise.    · Coughing happens more often and mucus production increases.    · Frequent respiratory infections like pneumonia. The Three Levels of COPD What It’s Like to Have COPD