When a COPD symptom changes our routines, we must adapt

I’m dealing with a new symptom of my chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): excess mucus. It has to be expelled, since I have trouble coughing it up on my own. That’s why my doctor wanted me to take the expectorant Mucinex (guaifenesin) twice a day.

Mucinex, like other expectorants, works by thinning the mucus so that coughing can more easily expel it. It’s important to drink plenty of water while taking any expectorant.

Mucus helps the respiratory system by protecting and moisturizing internal linings, thus promoting the immune system and helping the fight against infection. It also captures foreign particles and helps remove them from the body. While a proper amount of mucus is beneficial, producing too much can cause breathing issues and risks of secondary infections. It can be challenging to maintain a healthy balance in mucus production, though some causes of excess mucus are known — and COPD is one of them.

COPD already affects my breathing, and my medications put me at higher risk of infection, so it’s important that I manage my mucus production. That’s the main reason my doctor wants me to continue taking the expectorant twice a day.

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Stacking habits

I need to change my routines to take this expectorant effectively, which led me to a great LinkedIn post about habit stacking by my friend Linda Esposito. The basic idea is that we can connect our new routine task with an existing one as a way to make the habit stronger. I was able to tie the morning medication into my routine around breakfast. Though I’m usually an early riser, I don’t eat breakfast until around 9 a.m.; now I’ve stacked taking my Mucinex with eating my breakfast.

As for the nighttime dose, I’ve changed my evening sleep preparation so that it starts around 9 p.m. (To think I used to be a night owl!) That time works perfectly for me to stack my new Mucinex routine around an already established habit.

I’ve been asked by drug producers and government agencies whether a once-a-day treatment is better than one taken two or three times a day. I give the once-a-day plan a resounding thumbs-up, but when that’s not an option, stacking my habits has helped me remember and manage my medications.

It’s important to develop these strong routines so we don’t need to think so much about being sick. The less time I spend taking care of my illness, the more time I have to think about living and helping others. As we age, I think, we accept change less easily, but sometimes it’s necessary to update our regimen to benefit our health. Stacking habits definitely helps.

Note: COPD News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of COPD News Today or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.