<a href="[BASEDOMAIN]/healthinfo/../interactives/infographic.aspx?infographic=data/infographic/copd.svg&amp;Title=COPD%20Flare-Ups&amp;Description=Don%27t%20ignore%20early%20signs%20that%20your%20COPD%20is%20worsening."> <img style="max-width: 100%; min-width: 323px;" alt="How to spot COPD flare-ups" src="[BASEDOMAIN]/healthinfo/../interactives/infographics/snap/img/infographic/copd280x280.jpg"> </a><center>Reviewed 11/3/2022</center>
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<h2>How to spot COPD flare-ups</h2>
Many COPD flare-ups are due to an infection. They can put you at risk of hospitalization. 
Learn how to spot them early on. 
COPD flare-ups: How to spot trouble 
If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), symptom flare-ups could put you in the hospital. However, knowing the warning signs of a flare-up can help you take action to protect your health. 
Learn how to spot a flare-up. 
Head symptoms: 
<ul>
 <li>Fever. </li>
 <li>Confusion. </li>
</ul>
Throat symptoms: 
<ul>
 <li>Increased mucus. </li>
 <li>Mucus that is yellow, green, tan or bloody. </li>
</ul>
Chest symptoms: 
<ul>
 <li>Wheezing or increased wheezing. </li>
 <li>Increased coughing. </li>
 <li>Increased shortness of breath. </li>
 <li>Shallow or rapid breathing that's worse than usual. </li>
</ul>
Feet/ankle symptoms: 
<ul>
 <li>Swelling in your feet or ankles. </li>
</ul>
Avoiding flare-ups: 
<ul>
 <li>Don't smoke. And avoid other triggers, like pollution and dust or fumes at work. </li>
 <li>See your doctor and dentist regularly, even when you feel fine. </li>
 <li>Get a flu shot every year. </li>
 <li>Ask a healthcare provider about pneumonia and pertussis shots. </li>
 <li>Avoid crowds during cold and flu season to lower your risk of infection. </li>
 <li>Drink plenty of water to help keep mucus thin and prevent it from building up in your lungs. </li>
 <li>Wash your hands regularly and use hand sanitizer to keep germs away. </li>
 <li>Brush your teeth twice a day. </li>
 <li>Avoid touching your mouth, eyes and nose to prevent infection. </li>
 <li>Get plenty of sleep, because you're more likely to get sick when you're tired. </li>
</ul>
Handling a flare-up:
As soon as you experience signs of a COPD flare-up, contact a healthcare provider. He or she may be able to prescribe medications to prevent hospitalization. 
Sources: American Lung Association; American Thoracic Society; COPD Foundation
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Sources
<ul>
 <li>American Lung Association. "Nutrition and COPD."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/nutrition#:~:text=Nutrition%20and%20COPD-,Nutrition%20and%20COPD,-The%20right%20mix" target="_blank">https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/nutrition#:~:text=Nutrition%20and%20COPD-,Nutrition%20and%20COPD,-The%20right%20mix</a>.</li>
 <li>American Lung Association. "Prevent COPD Exacerbations or Flare Ups."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/prevent-flare-ups" target="_blank">https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/prevent-flare-ups</a>.&nbsp;</li>
 <li>COPD Foundation. "What is an Exacerbation or Flare Up?"&nbsp;<a href="https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-New-to-COPD/What-is-an-Exacerbation.aspx" target="_blank">https://www.copdfoundation.org/Learn-More/I-am-New-to-COPD/What-is-an-Exacerbation.aspx</a>.&nbsp;</li>
 <li>American Thoracic Society. "Exacerbation of COPD."&nbsp;<a href="https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/copd-exacerbation-ecopd.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.thoracic.org/patients/patient-resources/resources/copd-exacerbation-ecopd.pdf</a>.</li>
</ul>