If you have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), your lungs can’t work like they should. Air doesn’t flow in and out as easily, which makes it hard for you to breathe. With COPD, you could have emphysema, chronic bronchitis or both. You may not have symptoms in the early stages of COPD. Once you have symptoms they may include:

• a cough that won’t go away
• coughing up mucus
• shortness of breath, especially when doing daily activities like housework or taking a walk
• trouble taking a deep breath
• tightness in your chest
• wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe)
• frequent respiratory infections like colds, flu or pneumonia