Chest tightness, difficulty breathing, persistent cough, increased sputum production and wheezing can indicate COPD exacerbation as a result of respiratory infection, allergens, pollution, the flu or pneumonia. According to the American Thoracic Society, respiratory infections cause 75 percent of the emergency room visits by COPD patients. Twenty-five percent of these patients test positive for bacterial infection, 25 percent test positive for a viral infection, and 25 percent test positive for both viral and bacterial infections, making it all the more difficult to treat.
Reactive Airway
An acute airway reaction from allergens or environmental exposure to pollutants, such as a high pollen count, or smog index will also cause a COPD exacerbation. As a result, the airway becomes inflamed, sputum production increases, cough increases, wheezing increases and systemic oxygen and carbon dioxide levels can become dangerously out of balance. Short-acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids will relieve symptoms and help to avoid a hospital stay. According to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute, a ten-day course of antibiotics, often given as a precautionary measure, will treat or prevent an impending infection.
Respiratory Infections
Acute COPD symptoms resulting from viral and bacterial respiratory infections, result in more hospitalizations and deaths, than any other cause. When a patient presents to the emergency department, suffering from airway inflammation, poor oxygenation, difficulty breathing, wheezing and confusion, a blood test and chest x-ray can often determine the cause. Short-acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids will temporarily relieve these symptoms, and a 10-day course of antibiotics should be taken to treat the bacterial infection. An arterial blood gas may be ordered to determine the patient's acid-base status.
Avoiding COPD Exacerbation
The goal in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is to avoid acute exacerbations as they can be life threatening. According to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute, annual flu and Streptococcus pneumonia vaccinations have shown to minimize acute exacerbation of COPD. Avoiding triggers and environmental pollutants can also reduce COPD exacerbations, as well as knowing when to seek medical attention.
When to Seek Medical Attention
Contact a physician or local medical facility immediately when shortness of breath becomes overwhelming, if confusion, slurred speech, excessive sleepiness or a change in sputum color from clear to yellow or red occurs.
Call a physician within six to eight hours if shortness of breath or wheezing does not subside after using a rescue inhaler or nebulizer after two or three treatments, one to two hours apart.
Call a physician within 24 hours if shortness of breath gets progressively worse despite taking daily medications, increased fatigue, general, non-localized chest tightness, distant or faint wheezing and a noticeable change in sputum color occurs.
