COPD Symptoms Every Woman Over 50 Needs To Know—Plus When To Call Your Doctor
Think it’s just a cough or fatigue? Doctors say it could be a larger lung issue
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a lung condition that often hides in plain sight. You may think you’re dealing with a common cold, when in reality, your lungs are swollen, irritated and struggling to function. While there is no cure for COPD, the good news is that the condition is manageable—especially when it’s caught early. Here are the COPD symptoms and early warning signs doctors want you to know, plus what to do if you think you might have COPD.
What is COPD and what causes it?
“COPD is a lung condition that makes it hard to breathe,” explains Uma Darji, MD, board-certified family physician. “It’s usually caused by long-term exposure to lung irritants. Cigarette smoking is by far the biggest risk factor, but other exposures like secondhand smoke, air pollution, chemical fumes and even chronic asthma can contribute.”
The two most common types of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which have similar causes and symptoms but affect different parts of your lungs. Smokers are most likely to develop COPD, but primary care physician Tamara Kermani, DO, stresses that anyone can develop the condition. Your risk also increases with age, with women over 50 (and especially those over 65) most affected.
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“Unfortunately, I have seen a good number of patients diagnosed with COPD that do not have any of the traditional risk factors,” Dr. Kermani explains. “They could instead have a genetic propensity for the disease that we don’t know about until we do a blood test to check. Anyone that notices COPD symptoms should immediately make an appointment to see and discuss their symptoms with their doctor.”
Early COPD symptoms to watch for
Some of the most common symptoms of COPD include:
- Chronic cough
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Frequent respiratory infections
But other symptoms of lung trouble are a bit sneakier. “Many people think that they’re not able to walk as far as they used to simply because they’re getting older or because they’ve put on weight,” cautions Dr. Kermani. “Or maybe they feel that their increased shortness of breath or cough is ‘normal in a smoker’ and nothing to worry about. I’ve heard these statements many times from my patients, right before they’re diagnosed with COPD.”
More subtle COPD symptoms may include:
- Fatigue
- Lack of appetite
- Weight loss
Symptoms also often present differently in women than they do in men, partially because of differences in lung structure.
“Because women have less lung capacity and smaller airways in comparison with men overall, they may experience more shortness of breath at earlier stages of the disease,” Dr. Kermani explains. “Unfortunately, COPD tends to progress faster in women than in men. It’s very essential that when women first begin to experience any concerning respiratory symptoms, they are evaluated by their provider right away.”
Dr. Darji concurs, adding, “Women with COPD may have less chronic cough and mucus compared to men,” says Dr. Darji. “Sadly, like many illnesses, COPD is sometimes underdiagnosed in women because it’s historically been seen as a man’s disease, even though rates in women are rising.”
When to talk to your doctor about COPD
If you have even a hint of suspicion that you might have COPD, you should let your doctor know ASAP to prevent further lung damage. “Early diagnosis is key, because it gives us the best chance to slow the progression of the disease,” says Dr. Darji. “COPD can’t be cured, but it can be managed.”
In most cases, the first thing the doctor will do is a spirometry test, which measures how well your lungs function. From there they will come up with a treatment plan, which varies widely depending on your individual symptoms and overall health.
“The mainstay of most COPD treatments includes regular use of inhaled medications that are once or twice a day, as well as shorter acting ‘rescue’ medications to be used only as needed during a flare-up,” says Dr. Kermani. “Then there are also oral medications, including steroids, which are often used during flare-ups, or sometimes daily in patients with more severe disease that isn’t responding to inhaled medications alone.”
How advanced COPD is treated
In severe cases, doctors may recommend oxygen therapy or surgery to mitigate damage to your lungs that can worsen over time. You should also quit smoking and stay up-to-date on all flu and RSV vaccines to prevent COPD flare-ups and improve your quality of life.
“The most important thing to remember is that your doctor will look at you as an individual and make an individual treatment plan that works for you and your specific case,” Dr. Kermani says. “No one treatment works the same for everyone.”
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