COPD Flare-Ups: Warning Signs, Prevention, and Management

This article was written by Crystal Rothhaar, BS.

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) you may face an exacerbation, also called a flare-up. This means that your symptoms suddenly get worse. Lung infections, weather changes, air pollution, smoke exposure, or anxiety can cause or contribute to exacerbations. Flare-ups can be serious. It's important to know what to watch out for, how to prevent them, and what to do when they occur.

We talked to our partner, Village Medical, a national primary care provider. They are a valuable resource when it comes to COPD flare-ups. They can provide guidance and support in controlling these episodes.

Warning Signs of a COPD Flare-Up

These signs and symptoms of a COPD flare-up may last two days or more:

• Noisy breathing or wheezing sounds
• Coughing more than usual
• Having more mucus than you normally do
• Change in the amount or color of the mucus you cough up
• More shortness of breath or trouble catching your breath
• Needing to use your rescue medication more than normal
• Not being able to take deep breaths
• Fever
• Unusual tiredness
• Difficulty sleeping
• New or increased swelling in the legs
• Morning headaches
• Gray or pale skin
• Blue or purple lips or nail tips

"Your symptoms will be stronger than usual during a COPD flare-up," said Dr. Troy Fiesinger, a primary care doctor at Village Medical. "Those symptoms may also get worse and persist."

Preventing COPD Flare-Ups

To avoid a COPD flare-up, you can take three steps: avoid getting sick, stay active, and avoid triggers.

• Avoid getting sick: One of the best ways to keep from getting sick is to wash your hands often. Also, avoid touching your face, nose, and mouth unless your hands are clean. Respiratory infections such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV can lead to serious problems such as pneumonia. Your health care provider can help you decide whether vaccines against these viruses are right for you. Another way to keep yourself healthy is to avoid crowded areas during cold and flu seasons. If you must be in a crowded space, wearing a mask can help you stay healthy. Keep taking the breathing medicines prescribed by your primary care provider.
• Stay active: If you have COPD, exercising every day can be a great way to help your lung health and live a better life. Talk to your health care provider about exercises that are safe for you. Joining a special lung exercise program called “pulmonary rehabilitation” can give you the help that you need to start exercising and stay active with COPD. These programs offer support and guidance to help you build up your strength, breathe more easily, and enjoy a more active lifestyle.
• Avoid triggers: COPD flare-ups can be caused by things in the environment like pollution, breathing in dust, or smoke from tobacco or wood. Smoking, including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and vaping, can increase your risk of a flare-up. If you smoke and have COPD, your health care provider can help you quit smoking by helping you with products such as nicotine patches, gum, lozenges, or other medications.

Managing COPD Flare-Ups

Dr. Fiesinger suggests three key steps that patients facing a COPD flare-up should take:

1. Start your COPD Rescue Pack if you have been prescribed one.
2. Call your health care provider right away.
3. Continue your current breathing medications.

"It's important not to wait too long to get medical help," said Dr. Fiesinger. "If you think you may be having a flare-up or are not sure, contact your health care provider right away so you can start taking medicine if it is needed."

Note: If you need immediate help, please call 911.

Flare-ups can be serious, but you're not powerless to address them. There are ways to take control of your breathing by reducing the risk for COPD flare-ups, managing them better, and recognizing the signs.