Symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Like
asthma, COPD is a condition that makes it hard to breathe. COPD generally affects smokers and former smokers.
1 Some common symptoms of COPD include:
2
- Shortness of breath (especially during physical activity)
- Wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe)
- Chest tightness
- Chronic (long-term) cough that produces mucus
- The need to clear your throat first thing every morning
- Frequent respiratory infections
COPD symptoms can get worse over time. COPD can make it difficult to perform daily activities like housekeeping, going to work, or even walking.
1
If you think you may have COPD, speak to your healthcare provider. Use our
COPD symptoms checklist to help explain your symptoms to your healthcare provider.
References
- What is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? Available at: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Copd/Copd_WhatIs.html [Accessed June 1, 2010].
- COPD: Symptoms - MayoClinic.com. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/copd/ds00916/dsection=symptoms [Accessed June 1, 2010].
ProAir
® HFA (albuterol sulfate) Inhalation Aerosol is indicated in patients 4 years of age and older for the treatment or prevention of bronchospasm with reversible obstructive airway disease and for the prevention of exercise-induced bronchospasm.
Important Safety Information
If your symptoms become significantly worse when you use ProAir
® HFA, contact your doctor immediately. This may indicate either a worsening of your asthma or a reaction to the medication, which may rarely occur with the first use of a new canister of ProAir
® HFA. Either of these could be life-threatening.
What to tell your doctor before using ProAir
® HFA: If you have a heart, blood, or seizure disorder, high blood pressure, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid, be sure to tell your doctor. Also make sure your doctor knows all the medications you are taking – especially heart medications and drugs that treat depression – because some medications may interfere with how well your asthma medications work. Do not exceed the recommended dose.
Side effects associated with ProAir
® HFA included headache, rapid heart beat, pain, dizziness, and irritation of the throat and nose.
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit
www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.