Yes, many people with COPD sleep a lot due to overwhelming fatigue and poor nighttime sleep quality caused by breathing difficulties, coughing, and other symptoms, leading to increased daytime sleepiness and a need for frequent naps, but this poor sleep cycle can worsen COPD itself. While some struggle to fall asleep, others experience fragmented, unrefreshing sleep, causing exhaustion and interrupting daily life, making fatigue a major symptom alongside shortness of breath and cough, with studies showing high prevalence.
Chronic lung disease, such as COPD, can cause extreme fatigue because your body is working so much harder to accomplish basic bodily functions like breathing compared to those without lung disease.
Common signs of COPD exacerbation or flare up:
A recent study of an Iranian COPD cohort compared daytime sleepiness and quality of sleep in COPD patients to a healthy control group. They found significantly more subjects suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness among COPD patients than among controls.
Low oxygen levels can make you feel tired and mentally foggy. If you are experiencing chronic fatigue, headaches, dizziness or confusion, it may be due to low oxygen levels. Oxygen therapy can help improve energy and cognitive abilities by ensuring the brain and muscles get enough oxygen.
The brain is the body organ most sensitive to lack of oxygen. Low oxygen concentrations can include giddiness, mental confusion, loss of judgment, loss of coordination, weakness, nausea, fainting, loss of consciousness, and death.
an unhealthy lifestyle (such as having an unhealthy diet and not getting much exercise) stress, depression and dealing with life challenges, such as bereavement or looking after a new baby. hormonal changes (such as during puberty, pregnancy or the menopause) some illnesses, like glandular fever and COVID-19.
Thirty-seven percent of all patients with COPD and 73% of patients with severe COPD reported their problems with morning routine as bothersome. Observational studies in large cohorts of patients confirmed that all COPD symptoms were most problematic upon waking [7,13,14].
NUCALA is an add-on, prescription maintenance treatment of eosinophilic chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in adults whose disease is not controlled. NUCALA is not used to treat sudden breathing problems.
The physical challenges of managing COPD can sometimes affect your mood and emotional health. Most people living with COPD experience feelings of sadness, fear and worry at times. This is common and normal when coping with a serious illness.
What Are the Warning Signs That COPD Is Worsening?
Here are three ways to clear your lungs:
Common symptoms of COPD include:
Common symptoms of COPD include feeling short of breath while resting or when doing physical activity, cough, wheezing, fatigue, and/or mucus production that does not go away. If you have these symptoms, you should talk to your healthcare provider. Some people with early COPD may not be aware of their symptoms.
The scores range from 8 (normal fatigue) to 56 (most severe fatigue). A score of 26 or lower indicates normal fatigue, scores between 27 to 35 indicate mild fatigue and a score of 36 or higher indicates severe fatigue.
Between 88% and 92% oxygen level is considered safe for someone with moderate to severe COPD. Oxygen levels below 88% become dangerous, and you should ring your doctor if it drops below that. If oxygen levels dip to 84% or below, go to the hospital.
Advair is one of the most commonly used inhalers for the maintenance treatment of COPD. It is a combination of fluticasone, a corticosteroid, and salmeterol, a long-acting bronchodilator. Advair is used on a regular basis for the maintenance treatment of COPD and it is typically taken twice per day.
Common COPD Triggers
All patients at GOLD stages 2-4, according to GOLD classification at the time of study. ANORO was studied in patients with moderate or worse COPD. *Based on IQVIA Patient Level Data as of 07/2023. ANORO is for the maintenance treatment of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Also daytime sleepiness was significantly higher in COPD patients compared to control people [OR=3.5; 95% CI (2.5-4.3)].
Starting Your Day With COPD
A shower can be easier to navigate than a bath. Make sure air circulates in your bathroom to remove steam, which will ease your breathing. If shower spray on your face worsens your symptoms, lower the showerhead. Sit down to wash.
Constant fatigue can sometimes indicate a wide range of underlying medical conditions — like iron deficiency, hypothyroidism, or diabetes. There are many ways you can reduce daily fatigue. Some examples include getting more sunshine and exercise, limiting caffeine, and eating balanced meals.
Conditions that affect your muscles, brain or central nervous system can all cause hypersomnia. Mental health conditions like depression may also trigger it. Injuries. Head injuries or traumatic brain injuries may cause hypersomnia or increase your risk.
Fatigue red flags signal potentially serious issues beyond normal tiredness, including unexplained weight loss, persistent fever, night sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain, severe headaches, confusion, or new neurological/joint problems alongside exhaustion. Other signs include fatigue worsening with activity, significant cognitive/mood changes, or lack of energy despite rest, suggesting conditions like infection, autoimmune disease, heart problems, cancer, or mental health issues, warranting prompt medical evaluation.