You can and should expect more from your day. Here are steps you can take now to help manage your COPD and start feeling better.
1. Talk to your doctor.
- Ask about Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease treatment options, including controller medicines that can improve your lung function and reduce your COPD symptoms. Learn about a treatment option that can help you to feel more in control of your day
- Describe exactly how you are feeling
Your doctor may perform a test using a peak flow meter to monitor changes in breathing. Based on the results of this test, the physician may increase or decrease your COPD medication. It is important to determine the conditions that trigger your COPD symptoms, such as pollen, cigarette smoke, dust mites, pet dander, and more
2. Modifying certain elements in your day-to-day life.
- Stop smoking. If you are a smoker, the most important thing you can do for yourself is to talk to your doctor about stopping smoking now. Quitting can slow the progressive decline in lung function that comes with COPD, and it can help you live longer
- Get more physical activity. As COPD progresses, your symptoms reduce your ability to perform normal daily activities and do the things you need to do. Getting some type of exercise can actually raise your energy levels, reduce COPD symptoms, improve circulation, and increase endurance. Talk to your doctor about how much physical activity and what kinds of activities are best for you
- Avoid infections. Colds, flu, and other respiratory infections cause problems for people with COPD. It is critical that you contact your doctor at the first sign of a cold, the flu, or other respiratory infections
- Beware of respiratory irritants. Many people with COPD are sensitive to irritants in the air. These include smoke, exhaust fumes, strong perfumes, cleaning products, paint/varnish, dust, pollen, pet dander, and air pollution. Extreme hot or cold weather can also be irritating to the respiratory tract. Try to avoid exposure to these irritants
- Eat a healthy diet. Good nutrition is important for everyone, and it is especially important for people with COPD. Being overweight or underweight can cause you to have problems. Your doctor can help you choose a healthy diet that is best for you
- Get enough rest. COPD can affect a person’s sleep. Just like everyone else, people with COPD need enough rest to stay as healthy and active as they can. If you have problems with sleep, your doctor can help
3. Explore COPD treatment options with your doctor.
- Pulmonary rehabilitation is a structured program of exercise and education that can reduce symptoms of COPD, help improve quality of life, and increase your ability to take part in everyday activities. Depending on your needs, a pulmonary rehabilitation program might include exercise training, nutrition counseling, education on special breathing techniques, and other means of coping with COPD. Pulmonary rehabilitation can be helpful for people with COPD of all severities. Your doctor will know if a program like this is right for you and where it’s offered. The American Lung Association can also help you find the program that’s nearest you. You’ll need a prescription to participate
- Oxygen therapy is another option for people with severe COPD. Long-term oxygen therapy improves exercise endurance and can help some people with COPD live longer. Knowing the level of oxygen that’s in your blood helps your doctor decide if long-term oxygen therapy is right for you
- Surgery may be appropriate for some people with very severe COPD. Operations performed for COPD include lung-volume reduction surgery and lung transplant
There is also a variety of COPD resources and great ideas for living with COPD.