Patient Education / For nurses / Patient handout
Patient handout · Respiratory / PulmonologyLiving With COPD: Your Daily Guide
COPD is a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to get air out of your lungs. These steps help you breathe easier and stay out of the hospital.
Stop smoking
- Stopping smoking is the most important thing you can do for your lungs.
- Ask about nicotine patches, gum, or pills that help you quit.
- Keep your home and car smoke-free.
Breathe with less effort
- Pursed-lip breathing: breathe in through your nose for 2 counts. Pucker your lips as if to whistle. Breathe out slowly for 4 counts.
- Belly breathing: put one hand on your chest and one on your belly. Your belly moves out as you breathe in. Your chest stays still.
- Use it when you walk, climb stairs, or feel short of breath.
Save your energy
- Sit to dress, shave, and cook. Rest between tasks.
- Breathe out during the hard part of a task, like lifting.
Use your inhalers
- Use your daily inhaler every day, even when you feel well.
- Keep your rescue inhaler with you.
- After a steroid inhaler, rinse your mouth with water and spit.
Eat well and stay protected
- Eat small meals often. Choose foods high in calories and protein.
- Get a flu shot every year. Ask about pneumonia, COVID-19, and RSV shots.
- Ask about pulmonary rehab, a program of exercise and breathing training.
Call your provider today if you have
- More shortness of breath than usual
- More mucus, or mucus that changes color
- A need for your rescue inhaler more often than usual
- Fever, or more swelling in your feet or ankles
Call 911 or your local emergency number if you have
- Severe shortness of breath, even at rest, or trouble speaking
- Breathing that does not get better with your rescue inhaler
- New confusion or unusual sleepiness
- Blue or gray lips or fingertips, or chest pain
This handout supports, not replaces, advice from your own nurse or doctor.
For nurses and nursing students: the teaching guide behind this handout →