If I have COPD would I know it? About 18 years ago when I was smoking the doctor had me blow into some machine. She then said I had COPD.. I am 70 years old. I surf and stand up paddle and have no symptoms. My doctor wanted me to take a test at the hospital. All I said was was my other doc said I had COPD but that was like 18 years ago?
Hello, Common symptoms for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are cough with expectoration, breathing difficulty on exertion, chest pain, weight loss, fever etcetera. So if you have any of these symptoms, then you should definitely consult pulmonologist and get done a clinical examination of the respiratory system and PFT (Pulmonary Function Test). If PFT is showing the obstructive defect, then you will need inhaled bronchodilators (formoterol or albuterol) and inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) (budesonide or fluticasone). Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.  