At first, COPD may cause no symptoms or only mild symptoms. As the disease gets worse, symptoms usually become more severe. Common signs and symptoms of COPD include:
An ongoing cough or a cough that produces a lot of mucus (often called "smoker's cough")
Shortness of breath, especially with physical activity, wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe) , Chest tightness. If you have COPD, you also may have colds or the flu (influenza) often.