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COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) - When to Call a Doctor

Call 911 or other emergency services now if:

Breathing stops.
Moderate to severe difficulty breathing occurs.
Severe chest pain occurs, or chest pain is quickly getting worse.

Call your doctor immediately or go to the emergency room if you have been diagnosed with COPD and you:

Recommended Related to COPD

Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds

If you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis, you know how miserable it feels when you catch a cold. After all, breathing is difficult enough with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Not only does catching a cold worsen your ability to breathe and be active, but the cold virus increases your chance of getting a more serious respiratory tract infection. Here's what you must know to stay well.

Read the Emphysema, Chronic Bronchitis, and Colds article > >

Cough up 0.5 cup (120 mL) or more of blood.
Have shortness of breath or wheezing that is quickly getting worse.
Start having new chest pain.
Are coughing more deeply or more often, especially if you notice an increase in mucus (sputum) or a change in the color of the mucus you cough up.
Have increased swelling in your legs or belly.
Have a high fever [over 101°F (38.3°C)].
Develop flu-like symptoms.

If your symptoms (cough, mucus, and/or shortness of breath) suddenly get worse and stay worse, you may be having a COPD flare-up, or exacerbation. Quick treatment for a flare-up may help keep you out of the hospital.

Call your doctor soon for an appointment if:

Your medicine is not working as well as it had been.
Your symptoms are slowly getting worse, and you have not seen a doctor recently.
You have a cold and:
- Your fever lasts longer than 2 to 3 days.
- Breathlessness occurs or becomes noticeably worse.
- Your cough gets worse or lasts longer than 7 to 10 days.
You have not been diagnosed with COPD but are having symptoms. A history of smoking (even in the past) greatly increases the likelihood that symptoms are from COPD.
You cough up any amount of blood.

Talk to your doctor

If you have been diagnosed with COPD, talk with your doctor at your next regular appointment about:

Help to stop smoking. To review tips on how to stop smoking, see the topic Quitting Smoking.
A yearly flu vaccine
A pneumococcal shot. Usually, people need only one shot. But doctors recommend a second one for some people who got their first shot before they turned 65.
An exercise program or pulmonary rehabilitation.
Any updates of your medicines or treatment that you may need.

Who to See

Health professionals who can diagnose COPD and provide a basic treatment plan include:

You may need to see a specialist in lung disease, called a pulmonologist (say "pool-muh-NAWL-uh-jist"), if:

Your diagnosis of COPD is uncertain or hard to make because you have diseases with similar symptoms.
You have unusual symptoms that are not usually seen in people with COPD.
You are younger than 50 and/or have no history or a short history of cigarette smoking.
You have to go to the hospital often because of sudden increases in shortness of breath.
You need long-term oxygen or corticosteroid therapy.
You and your doctor are considering surgery, such as a lung transplant or lung volume reduction.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: May 04, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.