If you live with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), it’s essential you have an action plan for flare-ups. According to COPD.net, actions plans serve three purposes: to help prevent flare-ups, to realize when you’re having a flare-up, and what to do when you’re experiencing a flare-up.
MORE: Six ways to help you take care of your lungs
Prevention
The best course of action is to try and prevent flare-ups from occurring in the first place. While you won’t always be successful, putting into practice good health habits will help.
Here are a few ways you can help prevent flare-ups:
- Quitting smoking
- Taking medication as directed
- Eating healthily
- Drinking plenty of water
- Resting well
- Exercising regularly
- Avoiding people who are ill
- Washing your hands regularly
- Avoiding lung irritants like pollution, dust, pet dander, secondhand smoke
- Getting yearly flu and pneumonia vaccinations
MORE: Five steps to a COPD-friendly diet.
Wendy Henderson
Editor
Wendy is a proven blogger and social media manager who has helped to build online communities for businesses and organizations. She currently heads the website’s social outreach online through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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Wendy Henderson
Editor
Wendy is a proven blogger and social media manager who has helped to build online communities for businesses and organizations. She currently heads the website’s social outreach online through social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
The flu and pneumonia vaccines did not prevent me from contracting both at the same time this year. I do not think they are beneficial and may in fact be harmful