Symptoms of COPD
The most common symptoms of COPD are:1
Shortness of breath — this may only happen when exercising at first, and you may sometimes wake up at night feeling breathless
A persistent chesty cough with phlegm that does not go away
Frequent chest infections
Persistent wheezing
These symptoms often start from mid-life onwards. Many people don't notice any symptoms until they reach their late 40s or 50s. Some people also cough up more mucus than usual or have more chest infections.1,2
Although the symptoms usually get gradually worse over time, it is helpful to remember that the right medication can help slow things down.1 You can find more information on the different stages of COPD here.
What is a COPD flare-up?
A flare-up is when your COPD symptoms suddenly get worse. This can last for a few days and often needs extra medicine. Flare-ups are common and important to spot early, as they can affect your health and how well your lungs work.3
Signs of a COPD flare-up:3
- Feeling more out of breath than usual
- Coughing more than usual
- Producing more phlegm (mucus) than usual
- Your phlegm (mucus) changes colour or gets stickier
Call 999 if you’re struggling to breathe or have sudden shortness of breath and:3
Your chest feels tight or heavy
You have a pain that spreads to your arms, back, neck and jaw
Your lips or skin are turning very pale or blue. On brown or black skin, this might be easier to see on the palm of your hands
You feel confused suddenly
Abbreviations:
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
References:
- NHS. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Symptoms. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd/symptoms/. Accessed November 2025.
- WHO: COPD. Available at https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd). Accessed November 2025.
- Asthma + Lung UK. Managing COPD flare-ups. Available at: https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease/managing-copd-flare-ups. Accessed November 2025.