Symptoms and Complications
People with chronic bronchitis may cough up phlegm almost every day.
It is common for someone with chronic bronchitis to persistently cough and wheeze
when breathing. Low oxygen in the blood due to the decreased ability to diffuse
oxygen across the air sacs may cause the skin to become bluish in color.
COPD can lead to heart failure, as the heart has to work harder to pump blood
into the lungs. When the heart fails to pump blood properly, it collects in
the blood vessels of the legs and ankles and causes them to swell - this is
called edema.
Sometimes you may even become housebound because of difficulty breathing even
when doing simple tasks such as getting dressed or washing.
If you have COPD, it is likely you may catch one or two infections every winter.
You may also occasionally cough up blood. If this happens, it may be a sign
of a more serious problem and so it's important to see your doctor.