What Are the Four Stages of COPD and the GOLD System for Grading?
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There are four classic stages of COPD, ranging from mild to very severe. How quickly it progresses varies from person to person, according to Umur Hatipoglu, MD, a pulmonologist at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Stage 1: Mild COPD
“During mild stage COPD, you may feel out of breath during light physical activity, like doing housework or walking up the stairs,” says Dr. Hatipoglu. “A hacking cough that produces mucus is also common,” he adds.
The most important therapeutic option for those with mild COPD remains smoking cessation in those still smoking, says Byron Thomashow, MD, a professor of medicine at Columbia University in New York City and cofounder of the COPD Foundation. A smoking cessation program can help you quit cigarette smoking and provide support along the way.
“Diagnosing the disease early could help push smokers to stop and potentially dramatically improve their future,” Dr. Thomashow says. “Having more mild disease does not necessarily mean there are no symptoms, but with available medications and rehab programs, we can often significantly improve these symptoms.”
While smoking is the most common cause of COPD, long-term exposure to lung irritants — including secondhand smoke, air pollution, and industrial dust and fumes — can also be a factor.
RELATED: Causes and Risk Factors of COPD
Catching and treating COPD early can help slow its progression, says Diaz. “If you’re not really experiencing symptoms, the most important reason to get diagnosed at an early stage is if you’re a smoker,” he says.
Stage 2: Moderate COPD
With moderate stage COPD, shortness of breath during daily activities is more evident, and you may also experience increased coughing and mucus production, says Hatipoglu. “If you’re suffering from moderate stage COPD, you could be a good candidate for a pulmonary rehabilitation program,” he says.
This program focuses on nutrition (to achieve a healthy weight), exercise, and other strategies that can help you control your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Although pulmonary rehab can be beneficial, it’s important to know that it will not cure your condition or reverse any lung damage caused by COPD, says Hatipoglu.
Stage 3: Severe COPD
“Once you reach severe stage COPD, your quality of life is significantly impacted,” says Hatipoglu. A person with severe COPD will begin to experience several symptoms, which can include the following:
- Shortness of breath that has become worse or occurs more often
- More coughing or wheezing
- Changes in thickness or amount of mucus
- Extreme fatigue or weakness
- Feelings of confusion or forgetfulness
“Inhaled medications that will open up the airways and help a person breathe easier are often used, and for patients who get frequent exacerbations, we often prescribe inhaled corticosteroids,” says Edelman.
When a person gets acute exacerbations, they are often prescribed antibiotics and several days of systemic steroids that come in the form of oral tablets, he adds.
Stage 4: Very Severe COPD
During end-stage or very severe COPD, almost everything you do causes shortness of breath and limits your mobility, says Hatipoglu.
Breathing difficulties can even be life-threatening, and the lack of airflow coming into the lungs starts to affect the heart and circulatory system. “Oxygen therapy may be used in those with more severe disease,” says Thomashow. A portable oxygen tank can help improve your blood oxygen levels.
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