We recommend a single rule for all patients with COPD, irrespective of the presence or absence of hypercapnia: oxygen saturations of 88%–92%. Widespread adoption of these target saturations from ambulance pick-up should simplify clinical pathways and reduce risk of excess oxygenation and death of patients with COPD.
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.
If it shows your forced expiratory volume (FEV1) is between 30% and 49%, you're in stage III. You may get other tests to help guide your treatment. For example, checking the oxygen level in your blood might show that oxygen therapy could help you.
Supplemental O2 removes a COPD patient's hypoxic (low level of oxygen) respiratory drive causing hypoventilation which causes higher carbon dioxide levels, apnea (pauses in breathing), and ultimately respiratory failure.
Although COPD is terminal, people may not always die of the condition directly, or of oxygen deprivation.
You're in stage IV when: FEV1 / FVC is less than 70% FEV1 is less than 30%
Your physician will determine your stage based on results from a breathing test called a spirometry, which assesses lung function by measuring how much air you can breathe in and out and how quickly and easily you can exhale. They will also consider the severity of your symptoms and the frequency of flare-ups.
Increased Shortness of Breath
“Worsening shortness of breath is a cardinal signal that your COPD is getting more severe,” says Robert A. Wise, MD, the director of research in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore.
When COPD gets worse it is called an exacerbation (ex-zass-er-BAY-shun). During an exacerbation you may suddenly feel short of breath, or your cough may get worse. You may also cough up phlegm, and it may be thicker than normal or an unusual color.
Respiratory failure is considered the major cause of death in advanced COPD.
Practice holding a gentle stretch for 10 to 30 seconds, slowly breathing in and out. Repeat this a few times. Aerobic exercise is good for your heart and lungs and allows you to use oxygen more efficiently. Walking, biking and swimming are great examples of aerobic exercise.
In patients with suspected OSA, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is also a contributing factor to excessive daytime sleepiness [4]. Overlap syndrome as coexistence of OSA and COPD occurs in about 1% of the general population. Smoking and age are risk factors for both diseases.
Shortness of breath does not equal saturation (SaO2%)
In other words, your level of dyspnea, or air hunger, does not always correlate with your oxygen saturation. This means that you can be short of breath, even extremely short of breath, even in the presence of normal oxygen saturation.
If you are using an at-home oximeter, you should contact your health care provider if your oxygen saturation level is 92 percent or lower. If it falls to 88 percent or lower, seek immediate medical attention.
Hypoxemia. Chronic hypoxia may be linked with muscle wasting and weakness.
In general, COPD progresses gradually — symptoms first present as mild to moderate and slowly worsen over time. Often, patients live with mild COPD for several decades before the disease progresses to moderate or severe.
Especially if your COPD is diagnosed early, if you have mild stage COPD, and your disease is well managed and controlled, you may be able to live for 10 or even 20 years after diagnosis.
The 5-year life expectancy for people with COPD ranges from 40% to 70%, depending on disease severity. This means that 5 years after diagnosis 40 to 70 out of 100 people will be alive. For severe COPD, the 2-year survival rate is just 50%.
There is no cure for COPD, and the damaged lung tissue doesn't repair itself. However, there are things you can do to slow the progression of the disease, improve your symptoms, stay out of hospital and live longer. Treatment may include: bronchodilator medication – to open the airways.
Stage 2 COPD life expectancy is 2.2 years.
There are people who have lived with stage 4 COPD for many years; upward of 20, so it doesn't have to be a death sentence. With the right combination of daily exercise, no smoking, weight control, meds and not letting yourself get really sick, you may be able to live for a very long time.