COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) - Living With COPD
Make breathing easier
Do all you can to make
- Avoid conditions that may irritate your lungs, such as indoor and outdoor air pollution, smog, cold dry air, hot
humid air, and high altitudes.
- COPD: Avoiding Your Triggers
- Conserve your energy. You may get more tasks done and feel better if you learn to save energy while doing chores and other activities. Take rest breaks and sit down whenever you can while you fold laundry, cook, and do other household tasks. An occupational or
physical therapist can help you find ways to do everyday activities with less
- Stay as active as possible, and get
regular exercise. Try to do activities and exercises that build muscle strength
and help your
cardiovascular system . If you get out of breath, wait until your breathing returns to normal before continuing.
- COPD: Using Exercise to Feel Better
- Learn breath training techniques to
improve airflow in and out of your lungs.
- COPD: Learning to Breathe Easier
- Breathing Exercises: How to Use a Manual Incentive Spirometer
- Learn ways to clear your lungs that can
help you save energy and oxygen.
- COPD: Clearing Your Lungs
- Discuss pulmonary rehabilitationpulmonary rehabilitation with your doctor.
- Take the medicines prescribed by your
doctor. If you use an
inhaler, be sure you know how to use it
- Breathing Problems: Using a Metered-Dose Inhaler
- Breathing Problems: Using a Dry Powder Inhaler
One Man's Story:
"There was a time when I couldn't take 10 steps without
running out of breath. Now I walk an hour around my neighborhood every
day—without needing my oxygen. I feel better than I have in years."—Cal
Find out how Cal was able to build up his strength.
Good nutrition is important to keep up
your strength and health. Problems with
muscle weakness and weight loss are common in people
with severe COPD. It's dangerous to become very underweight. It may affect how long you are expected to live.10
- COPD: Keeping Your Diet Healthy
- COPD: Avoiding Weight Loss