Sputum when coughing
Sputum is the term used to describe material that is additionally transported out of the respiratory tract when coughing. Depending on the underlying disease, the sputum takes on different colours and consistencies. In COPD the sputum is often white-glass or white-foamy.
Especially in COPD, which is caused by regular smoking, the sput can also be black in colour because the inhaled contents of the cigarettes are contained in it. Sputum is always accompanied by coughing and is an extension of the body’s protective function. It attempts to remove the harmful substances from the lungs. If a simple cough is not enough, the harmful substances are additionally coated with body secretions so that they can be more easily transported out of the respiratory tract when coughing.
Hoarseness
Hoarseness is generally defined as a condition in which the voice is occupied. Only soft speech is possible, the voice sounds very rough. Sometimes it comes to so-called aphonia (loss of voice).
Depending on the cause of the hoarseness, the symptom can be acute or chronic. With COPD as a chronic disease, hoarseness can also become chronic. Hoarseness occurs because the particles that cause COPD also settle on the vocal cords. The vocal cords are attacked by the partially toxic particles and are damaged by them. In addition, COPD is a chronic inflammation of the airways, which can also affect the vocal chords and cause permanent damage there.
Shortness of breath
Shortness of breath refers to the subjective feeling of difficult or insufficient breathing. The feeling can be objectively described by signs such as an increased breathing rate or the use of the respiratory muscles (e.g. support with the hands on the thighs). In people with COPD, the shortness of breath at the beginning of the disease is usually only noticeable when the patient is under stress. With increasing obstruction (blockage/constriction) of the airways, however, breathing becomes more difficult even at rest. Above all, exhaling the air is only possible with increased work of breathing.
Power loss
The loss of performance in COPD at the beginning of the disease is mainly related to the work of breathing. Due to the obstruction (constriction) of the airways, increased work of breathing is necessary. This leads to the affected person getting out of breath more quickly when under stress.
In the initial stage, the disease can usually be well compensated for, but the further it progresses, the more noticeable the loss of performance. In later stages, the load on the heart also plays a role in the loss of performance. Due to the damage to the lungs, the right half of the heart in particular is exposed to greater stress. If this can no longer be compensated by the heart muscles, a loss of performance also occurs.