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9 Important Dos and Don’ts for COPD Patients

Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is difficult but with a few simple lifestyle changes, you can manage your condition and still enjoy life. We’ve created a list of dos and don’ts for patients with COPD with help from thehealthsite.com.

Do maintain a healthy weight.

COPD patients should work at either losing or gaining weight to be in the healthy weight range for their height. Work at improving diet so that it contains whole grains, fruits, vegetables and low-fat protein and less processed foods.

Do exercise regularly. 

Exercise is essential for patients with COPD and you should aim for 30 minutes each day. Speak to your doctor about finding the right type of exercise for you.

Don’t forget your inhaler. 

Make sure you have your inhaler on you at all times, as you never know when you might need it.

Do not stop treatment

You might be feeling fine and think you don’t need your medications, but don’t stop any medications unless directed to do so by your doctor.

Don’t take cough medicine. 

As a COPD patient, it’s important that you clear the excess mucus off your chest, which is the purpose of coughing. Suppressing your cough using over-the-counter medicines will lead to a build up of mucus that can leave you more vulnerable to infections.

Do use a humidifier.

Humidifiers can be extremely helpful in eliminating the dryness in the air which can dry out the tissues in the bronchial. Moist air will help to loosen mucus making it easier to cough up.

Don’t expose yourself to pollutants. 

Pollutants which can cause airway irritations are everywhere, but it’s possible to limit your exposure to them. Avoid spray products such as cleaning sprays, perfumes, deodorants, air fresheners, etc., and minimize your exposure to outside pollutants like traffic fumes, fire smoke, chemical fumes and secondhand tobacco smoke.

Do practice breathing exercises. 

Ask your health care team about breathing exercises and breathing control techniques you can do to help you when you feel short of breath or to help strengthen your lungs.

Don’t panic. 

If you find yourself short of breath or feel your heart racing, it’s important that you stay as calm as possible. Practice breathing exercises until it subsides or if it happens regularly, speak to your doctor to ensure you’re taking the correct medication.

https://copdnewstoday.com/2017/04/13/nine-copd-dos-and-donts/

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4 Replies
MarilynH
Member

Thanks Thomas, I am so happy that you are feeling better and back with all of us your friends and fellow Exers,Happy Easter weekend to you and your family, I'll bet Miss Penny is excited to see the Easter bunny.  Thomas3.20.2010 

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I think it's important for people with mild COPD to understand that the Thomas offers us are for everyone with the ailment. When it's still a mild case, each time their is an exacerbation, it can worsen it, sometimes permanently!  For this reason, it's just as important for those of us who aren't real bad off to heed all of the information given as it is for those with severe COPD.

Thanks for the post Thomas. As always informative and helpful!

Chuck

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JustSharon
Member

Thank you for the reminders for what I should be doing with moderate COPD. I do most of those things, but exercise and weight are where I fall short.

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elvan
Member

Thomas3.20.2010‌ I have left the house without an inhaler more than once, now I check before I leave because not having an inhaler when you need one can lead to panic...but you have already addressed that...practice breathing exercises.  It will pass.

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