A flare-up is when your COPD symptoms become particularly severe over a period of days. It is sometimes called an acute exacerbation by health care professionals.
It’s normal for your COPD symptoms to vary a bit from day to day. But if your symptoms worsen for two or more days, this is a flare-up (an acute exacerbation).
Signs of a flare-up include:
An infection is a common trigger of a flare-up. Some may get better with an antibiotic, but not if the infection is viral. There may be no obvious trigger. If you get a cold, watch out for any changes in your chest symptoms.
If you think you’re having a flare-up, follow your action plan as agreed with your healthcare professional. If you don’t have one, speak to your GP or nurse to create one. They should discuss this with you at every annual review.
There is a link at the bottom of this article to the Asthma + Lung UK COPD flare-up plan template.
Most people can be treated at home if they have a flare-up, but you may need to go to hospital depending on how severe your symptoms are. If you use the ambulance service, make sure to say you have COPD so you get the right oxygen treatment.
Allow yourself some time to recover after a flare-up. Some people find it can take several weeks or even months to feel completely back to normal.
If you have more than three flare-ups in one year that require your rescue drugs, ask your healthcare professional for a review.
Disclaimer
This article is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice. Always speak to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist about your individual care. The information reflects NHS and NICE guidance at the time of publication.
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