Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

As someone with COPD, you may find it helpful to know about the four components of care described in the GOLD guidelines.

Here is information to help you see how well you are managing your COPD.

If you have COPD, it may be difficult to tell whether you also have heart failure (HF). This is because the two diseases have similar symptoms and common risk factors.

Rehab is based on a team approach and combines exercise, emotional support and education. You and your providers work together to create a treatment plan just for you.

Every breath can be a chore when you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Part of the treatment for chronic conditions involves adopting the same healthy lifestyle habits that are important for everyone.

Effective pain treatments are available. You can also take steps yourself to ease ongoing discomfort.

Be aware of the early warning signs of change, such as more frequent symptoms or the onset of a new symptom.

Maintenance medicines work for an extended time after you take them.

Check with your health care provider about the level of strength training that makes sense for you, and keep some ground rules in mind.

Eat several small meals throughout the day rather than three big meals. Big meals fill up your stomach, which can press on your lungs and make breathing harder.

It’s possible to take medications that control stomach acid to help relieve the symptoms of GERD.

The first step is to choose a quit date and mark it on your calendar.

What kind of care would you want if you were no longer able to speak for yourself?

As someone with COPD, you may find it helpful to know about the four components of care described in the GOLD guidelines.

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, you know that they cause similar symptoms.

Two nutrients that are critical to keep in check when you have COPD are sodium and potassium. Here are tips on how to watch your intake of them.

Acute bronchitis is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, the hollow air passages that connect the lungs to the windpipe.

The first step is to choose a quit date and mark it on your calendar.

Here's what to do to help prevent another flare-up—and stay out of the hospital.

Keeping up with your daily medicines is a critical part of managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Maintenance medicines work for an extended time after you take them.

Inhalers deliver medication directly to the lungs with less side effects than medication taken by mouth or injection.

Home oxygen therapy can help improve the length and quality of life for a person with COPD.

If you use oxygen to help manage the symptoms of COPD, be sure to handle it with care.

Exercise can help reduce COPD problems, such as shortness of breath and limits on your activity level.

Here are some common reasons people don’t exercise. Are any of these true for you?

Becoming overheated can put people with COPD at risk for serious illness. Stay cool this summer with these tips.

A small amount of alcohol -- such as a single beer or glass of wine with dinner -- is fine for some people. On the other hand, drinking too much alcohol is harmful for anyone.

When you have COPD, even getting dressed can sometimes seem like a challenge.

Clean air is easier to breathe, especially if you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aim for five or six mini-meals rather than two or three large meals throughout the day.

Having a chronic condition such as COPD can lead to depression. You can get help. Talk with your doctor about your symptoms.

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