Is It a Flare-Up?

This article was written by Arnelle Konde, MPH, CHES.

If you are living with COPD, you may experience symptoms that change daily. Some days, it may feel harder to breathe, or you may cough more than usual. But sometimes, these changes can mean something more serious—an exacerbation, also known as a flare-up.¹ These flare-ups can have a major impact on your breathing, daily activities, and overall health. Knowing the warning signs and acting early can help you feel better and prevent a hospital stay.

What Is a COPD Flare-Up?

A COPD flare-up is a worsening of your usual symptoms^1,2, such as:

• Shortness of breath
• Coughing or wheezing
• Mucus buildup

Flare-ups can be trigged by:

• Respiratory infections (viral or bacterial)
• Air pollution
• Weather changes

Common Symptoms

Watch for these signs of a flare-up²:

• More shortness of breath than usual
• Increased cough
• More wheezing
• Changes in mucus:
  • Color (yellow, green, or darker)
  • Thickness or amount
• Feeling low in energy
• Fever

Call 911 right away if you have:

• Confusion or trouble speaking
• Blue lips or fingers
• Severe chest pain

Know Your Baseline

Everyone's COPD symptoms are not the same. That is why it is important to know your normal (baseline) symptoms.

• Make sure you are tracking:
  • Daily breathing
  • Cough and mucus
  • Energy levels

Try keeping a daily symptom log, whether in a notebook or symptom diary, to help you track how you are feeling over time.

"Just a Bad Day" or a Flare-Up?

Sometimes you may wonder if your symptoms are a result of “just a bad day” or a serious flare-up. It can be hard to tell the difference.

A “bad day” may include:

• Slight increase in shortness of breath
• Temporary tiredness
• Symptoms that improve with rest or usual medications

A flare-up may include:

• Symptoms lasting more than two days
• Rescue inhaler not working as well
• Noticeable mucus changes
• Trouble doing daily activities

If symptoms are different from your normal pattern, take them seriously.

You may not be able to prevent every flare-up, but you can lower your risk.

Tips to prevent or reduce flare-ups²:

• Stay up-to-date on vaccines.
• Wash your hands often to prevent the spread of viral infection.
• Avoid sick people.
• Avoid triggers like smoke, strong smells, and extreme weather.
• Take your medications as prescribed.
• Act early when symptoms change. Call your provider.

Have An Action Plan

The My COPD Action Plan can help you know what to do when symptoms change. You can work with your health care provider to create a plan for when you have a flare-up and how to prevent or reduce future flare-ups. The guide is also helpful for keeping track of what to do on regular days and when to call for help. Review and update your plan every six months.¹

Learn More

Listen to the latest episode of The Lung Health Champion podcast. In this episode, "Understanding Exacerbations: Signs, Triggers, and Taking Action" we discuss how to recognize early warning signs of a COPD exacerbation and what steps to take next. You'll hear tips to help you tell the difference between a "bad day" and a true flare-up and when it's time to take action.

Knowing your normal symptoms and spotting changes early can help you take control of your COPD. Acting quickly may reduce the severity of flare-ups and help you avoid going to the hospital. Tools like action plans, open communication with your provider, and educational resources can help you manage your lung health every day.