Welcome to the COPD Exacerbations Hub
Brought to you in collaboration with the Global COPD Patient Council, convened and funded by Roche
Brought to you in collaboration with the Global COPD Patient Council, convened and funded by Roche.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms that get worse could be the sign of a flare-up.¹
By listening to your body and taking the right steps, you can help protect the health of your lungs.
Why should you be aware of changing COPD symptoms?
COPD (emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis) is a group of lung conditions that make it difficult to breathe.²
It is important to keep an eye on your COPD symptoms because if they get worse, it could be your body’s way of warning you about the health of your lungs.¹
This may include symptoms like coughing more, feeling more tired than usual, or finding it harder to breathe (see Which symptoms should you look out for? for more information).¹
Symptoms that get worse could be a sign of a flare-up. This can damage your lungs and cause your COPD to get worse. Your healthcare team may also refer to this as an exacerbation (pronounced eg-zas-er-bay-shun).¹
Whatever you prefer to call it, it’s important that you act.
References:
1. COPD.com. Understanding COPD exacerbations. Available at https://www.copd.com/copd-progression/copd-exacerbations/. Last accessed September 2025.
2. Asthma + Lung UK. COPD. Available at https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/conditions/copd-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease. Last accessed September 2025.
3. American Lung Association. Prevent or recover from a COPD exacerbation or flare-up. Available at https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/living-with-copd/prevent-flare-ups. Last accessed September 2025.
4. Carlin BW. Respir Care. 2023;68(7):961-972.
5. Suissa S et al. Thorax 2012;67(11):957-63.
6. Rabe KF et al. Eur Respir Rev. 2018;27(149):180057.
7. Jones P et al. COPD 2024;21(1):2316594.
