What Is Emphysema?

By jolene

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4. Signs and Symptoms

The commonest symptoms among patients with COPD are breathlessness and a productive cough. These symptoms tend to be present for a long time and worsen with time. Although previously divided into emphysema and chronic bronchitis, these terms describe lung changes instead of the disease. In most cases, a chronic cough is the first to develop. Breathlessness is often described as requiring effort, feeling out of breath, and air hunger. In advanced cases, patients may breathe through pursed lips as this action may help improve their symptoms. Other symptoms include chest tightness, wheezing, leg swelling, and bulging neck veins. In an acute exacerbation, there can be confusion, combative behavior, tachypnea, tachycardia, and cyanosis.