COPD is an umbrella term that covers chronic bronchitis, emphysema and sometimes asthma.

Not all versions of COPD are the same, @A MyCOPDTeam Member.

While many lists show a number of symptoms:
- cough
- mucus secretions
- shortness of breath
- fatigue
- airway inflammation

You don’t have to have every symptom in order to receive the label. Think of it like an umbrella term, where some folks arrive at the diagnosis via multiple colds / infections, asthma, bronchitis, smoking, etc.

The importance of the label is just to get you grouped in with a series of known and successful treatments so that the doc doesn’t waste time trying to ease your symptoms. Not all medicines work for everyone. Not all symptoms bother everyone.

But, if you’ve had a CT scan of your lungs to show the damage, and you’ve tested via a pulmonary function test to fall within the range, it helps them figure out what medicine or treatment may work best to ease your shortness of breath. I hope this answer helps.

Take care of you, Monday, 08-APR-24

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