It's not "smoker's cough"It's COPD, and it can be treated.
If you get short of breath climbing stairs or have a cough with phlegm that won't go away, your lungs may be asking for help. The sooner we act, the more lung we preserve.
still don't know they have it.
That's not normal. It may be COPD, and it can be detected today.
of cases are found at a moderate or advanced stage, when damage has already occurred. The sooner it's detected, the more lung you keep.
The 4 signs almost no one takes seriously
If you recognize 2 or more of these symptoms and they have been with you for more than 3 months, a spirometry is worth it (it takes 10 minutes and can change your diagnosis).
Shortness of breath
You struggle to climb stairs or walk fast
Cough with phlegm
Especially in the morning, when you wake up
Tight chest
As if something were squeezing you inside
Unusual fatigue
What you used to do easily now wears you out
Where are your lungs right now?
COPD has 4 stages based on spirometry. Knowing yours defines the treatment. In stage 1 you still have a lot of lung to protect.
What happens if you let it slide
COPD advances silently. Year after year, the lungs lose capacity, but that pace can be slowed with the right treatment.
Quitting smoking and early treatment change this story. With the right plan, most patients keep their quality of life for many years.
Signs that say "go to the ER now"
Most days with COPD are manageable, but if any of these signs appear, don't wait:
Go to the ER if you have:
- Shortness of breath while sitting or at rest
- Blue or purple lips or fingernails
- Coughing up blood or blood-streaked mucus
- Fever with far more phlegm than usual
- A flare-up much worse than your worst normal day
- Confusion, unusual drowsiness or disorientation
Have you had a cough for more than 3 months or get short of breath on exertion?
- Spirometry with bronchodilator in the same visit
- Precise GOLD diagnosis for your case
- Personalized treatment plan starting from stage 1
- No waiting list: care this week
Timely diagnosis
Don't let the "usual cough" take away your quality of life
A 10-minute spirometry can give you the diagnosis and the plan you need.
Book my spirometryFrequently asked questions about COPD
Answers to the most common questions about diagnosis, treatment and follow-up.
How is COPD diagnosed?
With a post-bronchodilator spirometry: if the FEV1/FVC ratio is below 0.70, obstruction is confirmed according to the GOLD guidelines. The consultation also reviews symptoms, a history of smoking or exposure to wood smoke, and when necessary it is complemented with high-resolution CT.
Is there a cure for COPD?
Lung damage that has already occurred is not reversible, but COPD is treatable. Quitting smoking is the only measure that changes long-term survival. Long-acting bronchodilators, pulmonary rehabilitation, vaccination and periodic chronic-disease follow-up reduce flare-ups and greatly improve quality of life.
What is the difference between COPD and asthma?
COPD is a persistent airflow obstruction, progressive, associated with smoking or biomass smoke. Asthma is inflammatory, with reversible obstruction and allergic triggers. Some patients have asthma-COPD overlap (ACO) that requires specific management, which is why a precise diagnosis matters.
How do I book a spirometry in Mexico City?
Message me directly on WhatsApp at 55 9170 8334 or book directly on the appointment platform. The spirometry is done in the same consultation, with no special preparation.
Find me here
Hospital Santa Coleta
Saturnino Herrán 59San José Insurgentes, Benito Juárez
03900 Ciudad de México, CDMX
Office hours
Monday to Friday: 4:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
By AppointmentImportant medical notice: The information on this site is educational and informational in nature, prepared by Dr. William César Lara Vázquez, and does not replace a consultation, diagnosis or treatment with a medical professional. If you have any respiratory symptom, see your doctor or the emergency service. In the event of a respiratory emergency, call 911.