Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the name for a group of respiratory diseases that restrict your breathing. Types of COPD include emphysema and bronchitis.
COPD is a progressive disease. This means that it worsens over time. It has four stages — and the higher the stage, the more severe the symptoms are likely to be. In stage 1, you might not know you have COPD at all.
Early stages of COPD can cause the following symptoms:
- a persistent cough with lots of mucus
- tightness in your chest
- shortness of breath, worsening during exercise
- wheezing or whistling while you take breaths
Knowing more about stage 1 COPD, including what symptoms it causes, can help you to know when to seek professional advice to treat it effectively.
What is stage 1 COPD?
The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) is a program that doctors around the world use to help diagnose and treat COPD. The GOLD system classifies symptoms and progression of COPD by stages, ranging from mild to severe.
The GOLD guidelines combine different measurements of your respiratory health to determine the COPD stage. These include observations of your physical health, symptoms, and your forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1).
A doctor will measure your FEV1 using a spirometer. This requires you to breathe through a mouthpiece, which connects to a spirometer machine and tells the doctor how much air you exhale in 1 second.
By comparing your result with those of people with healthy lungs, they can determine your stage of COPD. The CDC provides an online calculator for predicting your spirometry results.
The following FEV1 values determine the stages of COPD:
| GOLD stage of COPD | Percentage of FEV1 value |
|---|---|
| mild | 80% |
| moderate | 50%–79% |
| severe | 30%–49% |
| very severe | less than 30% |
Symptoms
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, if you have mild or stage 1 COPD you are unlikely to have any noticeable symptoms. You may think you have the flu or a cold.
If you do have symptoms, you may experience the following:
- a mild cough
- higher mucus production
- shortness of breath, especially during exercise
How fast does it progress?
COPD gradually progresses through the four stages. The speed of progression is different for different people and will depend on many different factors, including your health at the point of diagnosis, treatments, and avoidance of triggers.
Some research suggests that it can take 10 years — sometimes longer — for COPD to progress from stage 1 to stage 4, depending on these factors.
Certain lifestyle factors will also influence how fast COPD progresses. Although you mostly cannot reverse COPD, you can slow its progress.
If you smoke, stopping smoking will help slow the progression of COPD. In some cases, it may even reverse it, per research from 2020. If you have trouble quitting, consider joining a support group or working with a doctor to create a smoking cessation plan.
COPD treatments
Treatment for COPD will vary among people, depending on what is best for your needs. By working with a doctor, you can create a treatment plan that works for you and your lifestyle.
Treatments for COPD aim to:
- slow disease progression
- reduce the frequency of flare-ups
- increase the ease of physical activities
A variety of medical treatments are available to help reduce your symptoms:
| Treatment type | Names | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| vaccinations | flu vaccines (Afluria) | A doctor will recommend that you get a flu shot and pneumococcal vaccine to reduce your risk of contracting a respiratory infection. You should also stay up-to-date with your COVID-19 vaccinations. |
| corticosteroids | flunisolide (Aerospan) budesonide (Symbicort) | These medications help reduce inflammation of your airways and slow mucus production allowing you to breathe easier. These can be inhaled or taken as pills. |
| inhaled bronchodilators | formoterol (Perforomist) ipratropium vilanterol (Breo Ellipta) | These temporarily loosen your airways and can be helpful during flare-ups. |
If you need help covering the cost of medications, the free Optum Perks Discount Card could help you save up to 80% on prescription drugs. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.
Free prescription coupons
Seriously … free. Explore prices that beat the competition 70% of the time.
Get free cardPrevention methods
There are lifestyle strategies that can be effective for both preventing COPD and slowing the progression of the condition if you already have it. These strategies can also help you manage symptoms and make it easier for you to exercise.
These include:
| How it works | |
|---|---|
| Avoiding exposure to irritants | Environmental irritants like second-hand cigarette smoke and air pollution can worsen symptoms of COPD. Keep your living space well-ventilated and use air purifiers if necessary. |
| Exercise | By exercising regularly, you can strengthen your respiratory muscles and improve the efficiency of your lungs. Walking and cycling can be good activities to start with. |
| Eating well | Eating a nutrient-rich diet, full of protein and whole grains, will help to support your immune system. |
| Maintaining a moderate weight | Being overweight can worsen your symptoms of COPD, as it places strain on your respiratory system and increases your risk of contracting a respiratory infection. |
Smoking accounts for 8 out of 10 instances of COPD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Avoiding smoking and secondhand smoke is the most effective way to prevent COPD from progressing. But 39% of adults with COPD in the United States continue to smoke after their diagnosis, the CDC reports.
If you need help quitting, talk with a doctor about programs and products that can assist you in your journey to stop smoking.
Summary
COPD is a chronic respiratory condition. In early stage COPD, you are unlikely to experience symptoms. If you do, it may feel like having the flu, including a mild cough and tightness in your chest.
While there is no cure, you can add medications and lifestyle strategies to your daily routine to help slow COPD progression. By working with a doctor, you can create a treatment plan that works best for you.
It is important to monitor your symptoms and seek professional help if they get worse.
Download the free Optum Perks Discount Card to save up to 80% on many prescription medications. Plus, you can now get them delivered to your home in as little as 3 days. Search for your medication here.