COPD Stages

The four stages of COPD and what they mean

The various states of progress of the illness known as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) are known as the Four COPD Stages. Each of these four COPD stages marks a level of progress that the illness has reached. Tests undergone to determine the level of these COPD stages that the patient is currently at are usually performed by a doctor using a process called spirometry. Spirometric testing for COPD stages is used by medical professionals as a guide to determine the initial treatment necessary for this disease.

The Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Diseases (known as GOLD) has determined that the severity of this disease is to be divided into four successive COPD stages. These stages, as classified using spirometric measurement, are known as mild, moderate, severe, and very severe.

COPD stages 1: Mild

In the initial stage, Mild COPD, there will be some noticeable, but mild, difficulty in breathing, but the patient will most likely not be aware that their lung functioning capacity has began to decline. During this earliest of COPD stages, you will most likely not suffer any COPD symptoms, but may experience chronic cough and excessive mucus. During these very early COPD stages, future patients will not be likely to associate these symptoms with a chronic illness, and will very rarely seek professional medical care.

COPD Stages 2: Moderate

During the second of these COPD stages, the Moderate, your breathing limitation becomes worse, and you will likely begin to notice symptoms of COPD, particularly shortness of breath. This will most normally come after heavy exercise or running, and will bring with it excess coughing and mucus production. You may experience some pain while breathing after playing sports or using several flights of stairs. It is during this time that most people will begin to consider receiving professional medical treatment.

COPD Stages 3: Severe

During the third of these COPD stages, the Severe, the person suffering from this ailment will begin to show signs of severe breathing problems. Not only will shortness of breath become more noticeable, the patient will likely have trouble walking or running more than short distances, and may become out of breath after even very short periods of exercise, or performing simple, common household tasks. When you reach this level of COPD stages, you will experience several minutes of fatigue and difficulty breathing per day.

COPD Stages 4: Very Severe

A person who reaches the fourth of these COPD stages, Very Severe, will be suffering from a very seriously impaired quality of life, and may already be near the end. Any spike in the development of the disease at this point can be potentially fatal. Breathing is possible only with great difficulty, and chronic respiratory failure may be in your very near future. People at this last of the COPD stages often suffer additionally from complications of the heart, which can also lead to death.

It is strongly suggested that anyone who believes they are suffering from any of these COPD stages should seek professional medical help immediately.