About this topic
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is also called COPD. It is a very serious lung illness which causes problems with breathing. People with COPD often have some other long term lung disease. This may be chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or both. ‚
General
Some things may cause your COPD to get worse. They can also make you more likely to have problems from COPD. These are called risk factors. You can lower your risk for COPD or your risk of having problems with your COPD. Try to: ‚
- Avoid smoke from tobacco:
- Stop smoking. This is the single most important thing you can do to lower your risk of getting COPD. Talk to your doctor if you need help quitting.
- Stay away from places where others are smoking or have smoked. This will limit your exposure to second hand or third hand smoke.
- Limit breathing in dust, pollution, and chemicals. These things can all bother your lungs much like smoking does.
- Wear a mask when around these things to filter the air you breathe.
- Keep your home clean and free of dust.
- Use an exhaust fan in the bathroom and kitchen.
- Keep extra moisture and limit mold growth by using the bathroom exhaust fan.
- Limit heat, odors, and chemicals from cooking by using the kitchen exhaust fan.
- Avoid infections. Protecting yourself from infections can lower your signs of COPD.
- Get a flu shot each year.
- Talk to your doctor about a shot for pneumonia.
- Wash your hands often.
- Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
- Keep your immune system strong to fight off infections by eating a healthy diet and keeping a normal weight.
- Exercise can help your breathing. Talk with your doctor about the best exercises for you.
- Avoid very hot, very cold, or very humid weather.
- Cover your mouth and nose when going outside when it is very cold. Limit the amount of time spent outside.
- Stay in an air-conditioned place when it is very hot and humid.
Are there other health problems to treat?
Treat the underlying conditions right away such as infection or other lung problems. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
You may be given drugs to: ‚
- Reduce the swelling of the airways in your lungs. These are steroids.
- Make the mucus thinner and easier to release.
- Treat infection. These are antibiotics.
- Make it easier to breathe. These are inhalers.
Where can I learn more?
American Lung Association ‚
http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/copd/about-copd/preventing-copd.html ‚
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute ‚
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd/prevention.html ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚