<human>: Hello I am almost 18 years old and I think I may have COPD because I feel short of breath. It all happened at a friends house about 5 years ago and suddenly when I came home an hour later I lost my voice and got a chest infection. then It never stopped I still feel short of breath. Back then all my friends parents pretty much smoked. Ive had this for a long time. I do not feel fatigued or had any chest pains. I went over there everyday after school. Stayed for a few hours and left. Will I die? I m rather worried.
<bot>: Hi COPD/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease has 2 main forms: emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Emphysema occurs when there is enlargement of air spaces due to destruction of the walls of some air passages in the lung. Chronic bronchitis is diagnosed if the person has a productive cough for at least 3 months in each 2 consecutive years with all other causes having been excluded. (You would need to have a mucus producing cough for 3 myths out of each of the last 2 yrs). Symptoms may include productive cough, breathlessness and wheezing. It is diagnosed based on history of smoke exposure and symptoms, physical examination. Blood test and imaging studies will need to be done if it is suspected by your doctor. COPD is not normally seen in young persons There are other causes of shortness of breath and your doctor will check for these. They include: anemia, asthma, lung infections, heart disease, inflammation of the lung, blockage of the upper airway such as the nose. You need to see you doctor to determine the cause of your symptoms I hope this information is helpful to you