Hi
COPD/chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease has 2 main forms: emphysema or chronic
bronchitis.Emphysema occurs when there is enlargement of air spaces due to destruction of the walls of some of the air passages in the lung.
Chronic bronchitis is diagnosed if the person has a productive cough for at least 3 months in each 2 consecutive years with all other causes having been excluded. (You would need to have a mucus producing cough for 3 mths out of each of the last 2 yrs).
Symptoms may include productive cough, breathlessness and wheezing..
It is diagnosed based on history of smoke exposure and symptoms, physical examination.
Blood test and imaging studies will need to be done if it is suspected by your doctor.COPD is not normally seen in young persons
There are other causes of
shortness of breath and your doctor will check for these. They include: anemia, asthama, lung infections,
heart disease, inflammation of the lung, blockage of the upper airway such as the nose.
You need to see you doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms
I hope this information is helpful to you