COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD is a breathing problem that comes on over a long time. Here is what you can do to feel better and help COPD from getting worse.

• Get treated for colds when you cough up yellow or green spit and it gets hard to breathe.
• Take your medicines every day and learn the right way to use your inhalers.
• Get regular exercise to help you keep up your energy. Physical activity helps COPD.
• Don’t smoke and stay away from cigarette smoke, dust and fumes.
• Learn as much as you can about COPD to help stay well.

Ask your doctor’s office or clinic:

• For help to quit smoking.
• About a flu shot every fall and about a pneumonia shot.

Call your doctor’s office or clinic when you have trouble breathing or you have a fever.

Reference: Heath TiPS from the ACP Foundation. American College of Physicians. Internal Medicine. http://www.acponline.org/patients_families/products/health_tips/