11 Breathing Tips to Follow If You Have COPD

COPD is estimated to affect up to 12 million American adults, and millions more may not realize they have the condition. One of the main symptoms of the disease is struggling to breathe, which can be debilitating and frightening. However, there are things that people living with COPD can do to help improve their breathing and make life with the condition a little easier.

Stop smoking
Smoking is the major cause of COPD and although quitting smoking will not stop the progression of COPD, it can certainly help to slow it down and make breathing easier. A lifelong habit is difficult to give up but there are medications and over-the-counter products that can make it easier.

Take your medication as directed
Medications for COPD don’t work overnight, so it may take a few weeks before you begin to see the benefit. However, it’s extremely important that you continue to take the medication as directed by your doctor. If after a few weeks you don’t feel any better, speak with your doctor to ensure you’re taking it correctly or ask about changing your medication.

Go for pulmonary rehabilitation
Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that combines supervised exercise with education about how to best manage your COPD on a daily basis, including how to take your medication, tips for improving diet and nutrition and how to cope with exacerbations.

MORE: Quitting smoking and knowing your smoking triggers

Watch your weight
Maintaining a healthy body weight is important if you suffer from COPD. If you’re overweight, you’re adding work for your heart and lungs, making it more difficult to breathe and move around freely. If you’re underweight, you are more likely to pick up infections, including dangerous chest infections.

Your doctor or nutritionist can advise you on the types of foods you should be eating (or avoiding) to help you reach an optimal weight.

Avoid pollutants
Traffic pollution, dust, chemical dust, pollen, aerosols, strong perfumes, air fresheners and second-hand smoke can all irritate the lungs and cause breathing problems. Try to avoid these as much as possible and consider putting air filters in your home to trap some of the harmful particles.

Stay healthy
While you shouldn’t become a hermit, you may want to avoid large crowds of people who may pass on their germs. Equally, you should avoid anyone who’s sick. Ensure you get flu and pneumonia vaccinations as necessary and generally try to stay as healthy as possible.

MORE: Nine important dos and don’ts for people with COPD

Get enough sleep
Often people with COPD also suffer from sleep apnea where their sleep is disturbed through shallow or slow breathing. A CPAP machine may help to regulate your breathing during the night so you’ll be well rested.

Do breathing exercises
Special breathing exercises can help improve lung function, strengthen the diaphragm, and help to get your breathing back on track when you become short of breath.

Exercise
Gentle exercise will help to improve overall fitness and health and increase muscle strength which allows for better delivery of oxygen-rich blood throughout the body to help combat fatigue. Your doctor or physical therapist can help get you started with gentle exercise that is within your physical limits.

MORE: 10 questions for your doctor or nurse about COPD

Oxygen therapy
If you have severe COPD, you may require oxygen therapy. Supplementary oxygen may be used when it’s needed, throughout the night, or 24 hours a day, depending on your individual needs. Portable oxygen tanks will help to increase your independence and allow you to go out and about.

Lung transplant
As a last resort, those with very severe COPD may be eligible for a lung transplant. Patients who are suitable need to be physically healthy apart from their COPD and need to be aware of the risks involved, including rejection of the new organ.

MORE: Seven foods for eating well with a chronic lung condition

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 another 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.