COPD Exacerbation: Signs, Triggers, and What You Can Do

When your COPD exacerbation, a sudden worsening of symptoms in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Also known as a COPD flare-up, it’s when breathing becomes harder, coughing gets worse, and you feel like you’re fighting for air even at rest. This isn’t just a bad day—it’s your lungs signaling something’s off. About 1 in 3 people with COPD have at least one flare-up each year, and each one can speed up lung damage if not handled right.

COPD exacerbation often starts with a respiratory infection, a viral or bacterial infection that triggers inflammation in the airways. Cold viruses, flu, and even pneumonia can push your lungs past their limit. But it’s not just germs—air pollution, cold weather, or skipping your inhaler can do it too. Some people notice their mucus turning yellow or green, or they feel more tired than usual. Others can’t climb stairs like they used to. These aren’t minor changes. They’re red flags.

What you do next matters. Many reach for stronger inhalers or antibiotics right away, but not all flare-ups need them. A bronchodilator, a medication that opens up the airways to improve breathing like albuterol can help within minutes. Steroids may be needed if symptoms are severe, but they’re not for daily use. And antibiotics? Only if there’s clear evidence of a bacterial infection. Too many people get them anyway, which leads to resistance and more problems later.

You’re not alone in this. The posts below cover real cases and practical fixes—from how to recognize the early signs of a flare-up, to what medications actually work without side effects, to how to avoid triggers that make things worse. You’ll find advice on managing symptoms at home, when to call your doctor, and what alternatives exist to common prescriptions. Some posts even talk about how other conditions like heart failure or anxiety can mimic a COPD flare-up, so you don’t get misdiagnosed. This isn’t theory. It’s what people are using right now to stay out of the hospital.