LIVE WITH COPD

So far, COPD has no cure. However, you can take steps to control the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease:

avoid substances that irritate the lungs;
receive continuous medical attention;
manage the disease and its symptoms;
Prepare for emergencies.

Avoid substances that irritate the lungs

If you smoke, stop it. The main cause of COPD is smoking. Talk to your doctor about programs and products that can help you quit.

If you have difficulty doing so on your own, consider joining a support group. Many hospitals, businesses and community groups offer classes to help you quit smoking. Ask family and friends to support you in your efforts to quit.

For more information on how to quit smoking, visit the health topics Smoking and your heart (in English) and Your guide to a healthy heart (in English), from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Although these resources focus on heart health, they contain basic information on how to quit smoking. To get free help and support to quit smoking, you can call the National Cancer Institute's quit smoking helpline at 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848).

Also, try to avoid lung irritants that may contribute to COPD, such as contaminated air, chemical vapors, dust, and secondhand smoke, which is smoke from other smokers in the air.

Do not allow the presence of these irritants in your home. If it is necessary to paint your house or spray it against insects, plan these activities for when you can be out of your house for a while.

If possible, keep the windows closed and stay in the house when there is a lot of environmental pollution or dust outside.

Receive continuous medical attention

If you have COPD, it is important that you receive ongoing medical attention. Use all your medicines as directed by the doctor. Don't forget to get more medicines before they run out. Take a list of all the medications you are using to your control consultations.

Ask your doctor if you should get the flu and pneumonia vaccines, and when you should. Also ask about other diseases for which you could have an increased risk for COPD, such as coronary heart disease, lung cancer and pneumonia.

Manage COPD and its symptoms

You can do several things to manage COPD and its symptoms. For example:

Do your activities slowly.
Put the things you use often in an easily accessible place. Look for simple ways to cook, clean and perform other tasks. For example, you can use a small table or cart with wheels to carry objects from one side to another and a rod or long-handled tweezers to reach things.
Ask for help to make everything more accessible in your home, so you don't have to go up and down stairs as often.
Wear baggy clothes and choose clothes and shoes that are easy to put on and take off.

Depending on the severity of your illness, you may want to ask your family and friends to help you with daily tasks.

Prepare for emergencies

If you have COPD, know when and where to seek help for your symptoms. You should receive emergency care if you have severe symptoms, such as difficulty breathing or speaking. For more information on severe COPD symptoms, read Signs and symptoms.

Call the doctor if you notice that your symptoms are getting worse or if you have signs of infection, for example, fever. This may change or adjust the treatment to relieve and treat the symptoms.

Have the phone numbers of your doctor, the hospital and a person who can take you to get medical attention in case of emergency. You should also have the directions to get to the doctor's office and hospital, and a list of all the medications you take.

Emotional aspects and need for support

Having COPD can cause fear, anxiety, depression and stress. Tell your team of health professionals how you feel. It may also be helpful to speak with a professional counselor. If you are depressed, your doctor may recommend taking medications or other treatments that can improve your quality of life.

Enrolling in a support group for COPD patients can help you adapt to living with this disease. You can see how other people suffering from the same symptoms have dealt with the situation. Ask your doctor if you know of local support groups or find out at a medical center in the area.

The support of family and friends can also relieve stress and anxiety. Tell your loved ones how you feel and what they can do to help you.