Overview

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, colour, or thickness of mucus.
• More shortness of breath than usual.

What causes them?

The two most common causes of a COPD flare-up, or attack, are respiratory tract (Figure 1) infections, such as acute bronchitis or pneumonia, and air pollution. Having other health problems, such as heart failure or an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia) may also trigger a flare-up. In some cases, the cause is not known.

What happens during a flare-up?

When you have a COPD flare-up, your lungs may suddenly produce more mucus. Or the airways of your lungs (bronchial tubes) may suddenly get narrower. These two things reduce the airflow in your lungs. That makes it harder to breathe and makes your coughing worse.

How are they treated?

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.

Avoiding COPD Triggers, video

COPD: Take This Chance to Quit Smoking, video

COPD: Taking Medicines After a Flare-Up, video

Using Oxygen Therapy at Home, video

Figure 1 - Respiratory system

The upper respiratory tract (upper airway) consists of the nose, mouth, sinuses, pharynx (upper section of the throat), and larynx (voice box). The lower respiratory tract consists of the trachea (windpipe), bronchial tubes, and lungs. The bronchial tubes carry air into the lungs and branch into smaller and smaller bronchioles. These end in alveoli (air sacs).

The main function of the respiratory system is to supply the blood with oxygen so the blood can deliver oxygen to all parts of the body. The respiratory system does this through breathing.

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.