Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
A lung condition that worsens over time is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Emphysema and chronic bronchitis fall under this category. Both are common among COPD patients. Emphysema slowly deteriorates the lungs' air sacs, making breathing difficult. The airways that transport air to your lungs become inflamed as a result of chronic bronchitis. As a result, you cough up mucus and have breathing problems. Early COPD is not severe.
Although some people may not show symptoms, those that might do so include:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Mild coughing, with or without mucus
- ...
COPD might result in weight loss in its later stages. Calorie burn is high during breathing difficulties. A person with COPD may require 10 times more calories to breathe than someone without COPD, according to Cleveland Clinic. In addition, breathing while eating might be painful. Additional signs of severe COPD include:
- Swelling of legs, ankles, or feet
- Low muscle endurance
- Fatigue
- ...
