What Does COPD Mean for Me? What Does COPD Mean for Me? If you’ve been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), you’ve almost certainly experienced symptoms caused by damage to your airways or other parts of your lungs — symptoms like coughing up mucus, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and fatigue.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976295c647711-c18f-433f-9ae7-72a14d9a6a81 Once your doctor has confirmed that your symptoms are caused by COPD through a pulmonary (lung) function test, the next step is developing a treatment plan to address episodes in which you have trouble breathing. If you experience frequent symptoms, you may be prescribed an inhaler to help prevent these episodes.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c4756e1f-c919-4c6e-b852-b9d535ee29f9
What Can I Do for My COPD? What Can I Do for My COPD? Once you’ve been diagnosed, your doctor might prescribe a medication Some of the most common COPD medications include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629db0aef49-f4ea-4963-a4d7-dea99eddf239
Read more about medications for COPD . In addition to taking medications as prescribed, try to avoid exposure to potential COPD triggers, which can lead to a flare-up of symptoms. Potential triggers include:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629c57485d5-6b10-469c-950f-ab424c273213 Smoke (such as from tobacco, fireplaces, or wildfires) Strong odors or fumes (such as from cleaning products, scented candles, or hairspray) Pollen from trees, grass, or weeds Sudden changes in temperature, or high humidity Air pollution (such as from vehicles or industry) Respiratory or lung infections Your doctor might also recommend that you make certain lifestyle changes to help improve your quality of life: Stop smoking. Here are some tips on how to kick the habit. Stay active, starting slowly and doing activities that you enjoy. Talk to your doctor before starting any exercise program. Your doctor may recommend starting exercise in a supervised setting and refer you to a pulmonary rehabilitation program. Drink enough water (helps to thin mucus).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976299b24f898-3e61-4720-8e74-b92f7b906e4a Get enough sleep (can help with fatigue) and get screened for sleep disorders.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e59762942290c46-d4ba-411b-b817-8cf573f26c53 Eat a healthy diet and avoid COPD trigger foods . Reduce and manage stress (stress can trigger COPD symptoms).e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e5976294601dfa6-0b00-490c-8f19-9a81a792b484 Research has found that lifestyle interventions for COPD — focused on smoking cessation, physical activity, and a healthy diet — led to improvements in quality of life, breathing, and fitness level.e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629112856b7-bdf1-47e5-b2c3-1bf9df9da847
What to Ask Your Doctor What to Ask Your Doctor A diagnosis of COPD is a lot to take in, and you’ll probably have a lot of questions. Here are some questions to consider asking your doctor: How severe is my COPD, and what does that mean? What programs are available to help me quit smoking? When should I take my prescribed medications? What should I do if I suddenly experience difficulty breathing? When should I contact my healthcare provider or seek emergency care? Am I up to date with vaccinations to help prevent lung-related infections?
When Do You Need Urgent Medical Attention? Call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:e60dc2a1-f33c-4a05-9b50-8e3e8e597629811e5fcf-aec2-4de1-81d8-51efaa3264a8 You can’t catch your breath, even after taking medication. Your lips or fingernails turn blue. Your heart is beating very rapidly. You have brain fog or difficulty focusing.
Your COPD Care Team Your COPD Care Team Your primary care doctor may be able to diagnose COPD and help you manage mild symptoms. But more severe disease often requires seeing other health professionals, such as: Pulmonologist: A lung and breathing specialist can help develop a treatment plan that’s tailored to your COPD symptoms. Physical therapist/exercise specialist: You may learn exercises to help you breathe more easily as part of a pulmonary rehab program. Respiratory therapist: They can teach you breathing techniques as part of a pulmonary rehab program or if you require emergency medical attention or hospitalization.
Finding Support Finding Support Often, you can get the emotional support you need for your COPD through your doctor or another health professional. But if you’re looking for more information or peer support, here are some helpful organizations. American Lung Association The leading lung health organization in the United States offers articles on several aspects of COPD, including nutrition , managing your energy levels , and emotional health . Learn More Breathe Better This initiative from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute aims to raise awareness of lung diseases like COPD and asthma through a variety of educational tools. Better Breathers Club This program from the American Lung Association organizes support groups — both in-person and virtual — in communities throughout the United States. You can search for one near you based on your state and ZIP code. COPD Foundation This organization offers a resource called COPD360social , an online community in which members can ask or answer questions, engage in conversations, and share experiences.
The Takeaway If you’re living with COPD, it’s critical to reduce your exposure to irritants like smoke, as well as to protect yourself against respiratory infections through vaccinations. Let your doctor know if your condition changes, so that you can adjust your treatment plan accordingly and help prevent hospitalization.
Resources We Trust National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: What Is COPD?American Lung Association: Learn About COPDWorld Health Organization: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: About COPD
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