COPD: Recognize the Signs and Symptoms

4. Tightness in Chest

Speaking of tightness in the chest, that is another common symptom of COPD. When patients with the disease inhale, the feeling comes over them. More specifically, the feeling is related to the ribcage feeling squeezed or pressurized. This leads to a labored breathing, which is more than uncomfortable. However, patients have reported very different accounts of tightness in the chest. Therefore, it is somewhat hard to explain the natural sensation every person with COPD might feel, especially depending on the stage of the disease. It is important to note that chest pain is not the same thing as the sensation of tightness. If you are experiencing chest pain with the tightness, you may want to discuss these symptoms with your doctor. The conditions may reflect something more serious such as lung cancer.