Symptoms range from being barely noticeable to incapacitating.
The rate of progression and severity of symptoms vary from one person to another. Unfortunately, by the time the individual suffering from COPD seeks medical attention, much of the damage to the lungs is often already done. COPD is referred to as the silent disease because symptoms generally progress slowly and almost imperceptibly. At first, you may notice that you experience shortness of breath only with exercise. These symptoms may not seem serious at first, but they may progress to the point where activities of daily living, such as walking, dressing, and even eating, cause extreme shortness of breath.