A patient’s and caregiver’s guide to Coping with the impact of COPD This document is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use the information in this document for diagnosing or treating a medical or health condition. You should consult a healthcare provider in all matters relating to your health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. Any action on your part in response to the information in this document is at your discretion. Taking a daily approach to COPD—not always easy, but worth it There are things you can do every day to help manage COPD. These include lifestyle changes. They are not always easy to make. It is important to keep in mind why the changes are needed. They may help you breathe better and get back to your daily life. Some lifestyle changes include: Living as healthy and active a lifestyle as possible. This includes eating healthy foods, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, getting enough sleep, and getting flu and pneumonia vaccinations as directed by a healthcare provider Avoiding COPD triggers. These may include smoke, air pollution, allergens, strong odors and fumes, and extreme weather Learning about COPD and its treatment; being familiar with the symptoms of a flare-up, and having a plan for what to do Assigning chores and other duties to friends and family as needed to reduce stress Finding time to have fun each day by enjoying a hobby or leisure activity Asking support from family and friends; possibly joining a support group where there are others also living with COPD and facing similar challenges Having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects the way a person lives and also impacts the lives of loved ones. While COPD never goes away, there are ways to cope with it. Helping patients breathe better is the first step. In doing so, patients can then begin to focus on getting back to their daily routine. Together, patients, loved ones, and caregivers can make it easier to live with COPD. Everyday maintenance treatment makes a difference. Medicines that treat COPD help relieve symptoms. Some COPD medicines are taken every day at the same time. They are called everyday maintenance medicines. They help open up the airways and improve breathing. They must be taken regularly as directed by a healthcare provider to help keep patients breathing better. 1