Copd flare-up

When your COPD symptoms get worse suddenly and stay bad, it's called a flare-up. Your cough and mucus get worse, and it may be harder to breathe. A flare-up can be dangerous, so it's important to know what to do and take action. Your doctor can help you make a plan to manage flare-ups.

At times, your symptoms may suddenly flare up and get much worse. This is called a COPD exacerbation (say "ig-ZAS-ur-BAY-shun"). When this happens, your usual symptoms quickly get worse and stay bad. This can be dangerous, and you may have to go to the hospital.

Symptoms of a flare-up include:

• Coughing more than usual.
• A change in the amount, color, or thickness of mucus.
• More shortness of breath than usual.

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and past health and will do a physical exam. You may have blood tests, a chest X-ray, and tests to check oxygen levels in your blood, such as pulse oximetry. You may have more testing to check for other health problems.

Treatment of a COPD flare-up, or attack, depends on how bad the flare-up is. Mild flare-ups may be treated by following your doctor's instructions for using a quick-relief (short-acting) inhaler or oral steroid medicines. More severe flare-ups may involve visits to your doctor's office or clinic. Or you may need to be treated in the hospital. Treatments include:

• Quick-relief inhaled bronchodilators. These medicines relax the bronchial tubes and make it easier to breathe.
• Oral steroid medicines. They reduce the swelling in your airways.
• A machine to help you breathe better or to breathe for you. These are called ventilation machines.
• Oxygen, to increase the amount of oxygen in your blood.

Treatment may also include:

• Intravenous (I.V.) fluids to treat dehydration.
• Other bronchodilators.
• Antibiotics. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to help treat a bacterial infection.

• Don't panic. Quick treatment at home may help you prevent serious breathing problems.
• Take your medicines exactly as your doctor tells you.
  • Use your quick-relief inhaler as directed by your doctor. If your symptoms don't get better after you use your medicine, have someone take you to the emergency room. Call an ambulance if necessary.
  • With inhaled medicines, a spacer or a nebulizer may help you get more medicine to your lungs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist how to use them the right way. Practice using the spacer in front of a mirror before you have a flare-up. This may help you get the medicine into your lungs quickly.
  • If your doctor has given you steroid pills, take them as directed.
  • Talk to your doctor if you have any problems with your medicine.