Diagnosing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
The same doctors attempting to research the different types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), provide care for peop le with COPD at the UPMC Comprehensive Lung Center. They recognize that not all treatments help every patient with COPD.
A comprehensive clinical assessment focuses on correct disease classification and the selection of treatment options unique to each patient’s disease characteristics.
To determine the best route for treatment, UPMC specialists will:
- Ask about your symptoms
- Evaluate your medical history
- Perform a physical exam
Symptoms of COPD
The most common symptoms of COPD include:
- Coughing
- Coughing up clear sputum or mucus from deep in the lungs
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath with activity
COPD is most commonly a disease of smokers, although not all smokers develop COPD.
Testing for COPD
COPD can be recognized in the very early stages by asking your doctor to perform a test called spirometry. A spirometry test measures the maximum speed, or flow, of air coming from your lungs when you are asked to blow out as fast as possible.
This is a very important test, especially for smokers, to identify the disease in the earliest stages. Early recognition of COPD can lead to interventions, which successfully slow the decline in lung function.
COPD clinicians in the center have a complete set of treatment options to offer, several of which were actually first investigated at UPMC.
In addition to all current treatment options, people with COPD who visit the center can participate in the newest clinical treatments for COPD through a disease research registry.