Some 13 million people are being treated for COPD but it is estimated that as many as 13 million more may have COPD and not know it. Some patients in the early stages are being treated for a persistent cough which their physicians mistakenly think is asthma related. Adding further to the confusion as many as 40% of people that have COPD, also have asthma and asthma is considered a risk factor for developing COPD later in life. Though the two conditions are related it is important to know the difference between the two and which you have to recieve proper treatment.

COPD exacerbations and flare-ups are taxing on both you and the healthcare system. Not to mention, they are one of the terrifying aspects of dealing with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and for a good reason. COPD exacerbations result in more than 100,000 deaths and over 500,000 hospitalizations each year. Did you know that within 30 days of hospitalization 21% of COPD patients will be readmitted to the hospital?

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease affects patients ability to breathe and live active and normal lifestyles, though with treatment and a few lifestyle adjustments you can live a happy and active lifestyle like you once led before the diagnosis of COPD.

Throughout your treatment you may notice times that you have an increased feeling of symptoms such as breathlessness, phlegm production, and coughing, which is referred to as a flare-up or also known as an exacerbation.

These exacerbations are often debilitating for patients and often times the exact cause of an exacerbation is unknown or it is a combination of things.

Something as little as temperature change can have drastic affects on your ability to conduct your everyday life.

As your COPD progresses and as time passes on you can expect longer lasting and more frequent exacerbations.

Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will have flare-ups, also known as, exacerbations from time to time. A COPD exacerbation, or flare-up, is when your COPD symptoms have an abrupt increase in severity.

Breathing may become increasingly harder, you may have more mucus production, more coughing, but each case is different.

Sometimes the cause for a flare-up is unknown or it could be a combination of a couple of things, which is why we will be talking about the most known causes for COPD flare-ups.