Living with COPD

Quit smoking or vaping:

• It's essential to cut back and, ideally, quit.
  
• Your cough may get worse in the first week or so after you quit, but don't worry, it'll get better soon.
• Quitting isn't easy, so let us know how we can help!

Avoid other lung irritants, including:

• Secondhand smoke
  
• Dust, fumes, and pollution
  
• Smoke from fires (if there's a wildfire nearby, stay inside or leave the area)

You can also use an air purifier at home to help with some of these irritants.

Use your inhalers and, if prescribed, oxygen as directed.

Review these videos on how to use your inhaler properly:

• Inhaler
• Inhaler with spacer

Generally, you'll want to rinse your mouth out after using your inhaler.

Make sure you know the difference between your daily controller inhaler(s) and your rescue inhaler, which should be used as needed when you have symptoms.  If you're not sure, ask!

If you need to use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, reach out to discuss possible medication changes.

• Stay active.  Regular exercise, even slow walking, can help.  Read more.
• Stay warm in colder weather.  Cold air may make breathing worse.
• If you're struggling, consider pulmonary rehabilitation, a program that teaches exercises to help you breathe better.  Ask for a referral if you're interested.

Make sure you:

• Have a pulse oximeter (finger oxygen sensor) at home to check your oxygen levels when you get sick.
  
• Get the flu vaccine every year.
  
• Get vaccinated against pneumonia and pertussis if you haven't in the last 5 to 10 years.
  
• Get the COVID vaccine as recommended.
  
• Avoid being around people who are sick.
  
• Wash your hands before you eat or touch your face

Make a COPD action plan so you know what to do as soon as you start feeling worse.  Read more.

Let us or another health care provider know right away if you notice signs of a COPD flare, including:

• Increased cough
  
• Change in color or thickness of phlegm
  
• Oxygen levels below your usual range
  
• Increased fatigue or difficulty moving or exercising
  
• Fever

Remember to use pursed lip breathing and make sure you know which rescue inhaler to use.

Read more about recognizing and treating flares.

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Go directly to your local emergency room or call 911 if:

• Your oxygen levels drop more than 5 points below your usual.   If you don't know your baseline, go if they're below 90 to 92%.
  
• You have other concerning symptoms (severe shortness of breath, dizziness, chest pain, unusual sleepiness or confusion, inability to speak in full sentences, blue or gray skin or lips, coughing up blood, etc.).

Many people with COPD and a history of smoking need a yearly CT scan to screen for lung cancer.

Reach out to see if screening is right for you.