I keep reading people saying, they have stage 1,2,3 & 4 of copd, but how was this decided, as I have never been told by the hospital, specialist or copd nurse, and I have it bad.
Stages 1,2,3 & 4 of copd,: I keep... - Lung Conditions C...
Stages 1,2,3 & 4 of copd,
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Hi
It’s the result of a spirometer test. The four stages are represented by a percentage number range.
80% – mild COPD (able to achieve normal results after medication)
50-79% – moderate COPD
30-49% – severe COPD
less than 30% – very severe COPD
1= Mild
2= Moderate
3=Severe
4=Very Severe
It's decided by your lung function as per stones reply above. If you want to know yours just ask. I don't know if they tell you as a matter of course.
Spirometry is only part of it, if you're under a consultant at the hospital you will likely have a CT scan, cardiac check and a full lung function test of which spirometry is only a part. The consultant takes into account all results not just spirometry.
But some people do tend to just go by the spirometry result as shown on this page:
I've never been told and would rather not know. I soldier on, have bad days and very bad days but knowing how severely ill I am isn't going to help. I've had lung disease for approx. 65 years to know what stage I'm at isn't going to make me feel any better. Joy.