If you've just been diagnosed with COPD, our quick overview will help you find out what you can do to live well and manage your condition.
What is COPD?
COPD stands for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It’s a long-term condition. But you (and your doctor) can do things to help.
Chronic = it’s a long-term condition
Obstructive = it’s hard for you to breathe
Pulmonary = it affects your lungs
Disease = it’s a medical condition
Am I getting the right care?
Complete your COPD passport to check you’re getting the right care.
All you need to do:
1. Choose ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to statements about your care
2. At the end, you’ll get your personalised passport
3. Discuss this with your doctor or nurse
What can I do to help my COPD?
If you smoke, stop smoking
If you stop smoking, you will slow the progress of your COPD. It’s easier to stop with help.
Eat well and keep a healthy weight
Your diet can affect your COPD. Keep to a healthy weight for you to help your breathing.
Keep well in the cold
It’s a good idea to prepare for cold temperatures, to make sure you stay well.
Your medications
Your doctor may give you medicines in an inhaler to open your airways and to reduce swelling in them.
Control your breathing
If you feel breathless, get into a position that’s good for you. You can learn ways to help control your breathing.
Keep active
It’s good for you to get breathless when you’re active. Keeping active helps your breathing and gets you fitter so you can do more.
Look after your mental health
You might feel down at times. You can get help with anxiety and depression.
Create a plan
Self-management of your COPD will help give you control of your condition.
Managing flare-ups
A flare-up – sometimes called an exacerbation – is when your symptoms become particularly severe.
The signs of a flare-up are:
- your breathlessness gets worse
- you cough more
- you produce more sputum (phlegm)
- a change in the colour and consistency of your sputum (phlegm)
Agree a plan with your doctor about what you will do in a flare-up. You may have medications to keep at home.
Where to get help and support
Read about people like you, living with COPD
- This information was reviewed in June 2021. The next review date is June 2024.
- If you’d like to give feedback or see our references get in touch.