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6 expert tips for living well with COPD

Being proactive goes a long way towards staying healthy and active.

Updated on November 20, 2024

A nurse assists an elderly man with COPD with a nebulizer.
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Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a lung disease that makes it hard to breathe, often requires lifestyle changes. But if you’re living with this progressive condition, you’re not alone. About 16 million adults in the United States are already diagnosed with COPD, and many more may have undiagnosed COPD, according to the Centers for Disease Control andShow More

Red burst radiates as someone grasps their chest.
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Make sure it’s not more than COPD

Having other conditions in addition to COPD may limit your ability to exercise and tolerate physical activity, Parada cautions. “People with advanced COPD also may have heart problems, and people who have heart problems may also have COPD, especially if they used to smoke or are still smoking," sheShow More

A salad is prepared in a bowl with vegetables placed on the table.
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Stick with your rehab program

Participating in a pulmonary rehabilitation (rehab) program is one of the most important things people with COPD or asthma can do to help manage their condition. “I believe mind-body medicine, which is really what pulmonary rehab is all about, is very important for people with COPD toShow More

Middle-aged person wipes away sweat with a towel while working out in a gym.
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Exercise

Exercise is a major component of pulmonary rehab. People with advanced disease may have difficulty with daily activities, such as brushing their teeth or combing their hair, so  cardiovascular exercises, such as walking, are very important, Parada explains. Exercise will help enable you toShow More

Middle-aged person getting a vaccination from a healthcare provider
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Try to avoid harmful germs

No one wants to get sick, especially if you already have a condition that compromises your lung function.

  • Stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 vaccine. Everyone over six months of age can receive the latest version of the COVID vaccine. There are two mRNA vaccines available, made by Moderna
  • Show More
View of smog covering Los Angeles city skyline.
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Watch your local air quality

Stay inside on days when the local air quality is poor, especially if you live near a manufacturing plant, such as a coal or oil processing facility. “There are exposures that affect people with pulmonary conditions,” Parada says.

AirNow.gov has a useful online search tool for checking your localShow More

Closeup of hands breaking a cigarette in half.
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Stop smoking

No conversation about lung health would be complete without talking about smoking. “Smoking cessation is the most important thing someone with COPD can do,” Parada urges. It can slow the deterioration of lung function and allow for a longer life with better control of symptoms. If you’re aShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About COPD. Page last updated May 15, 2024.
Chung C, Lee KN, et al. Effect of smoking on the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in young individuals: a nationwide cohort study. Frontiers in Medicine. 2023. 10: 1190885.
Harvard Medical School. Understanding COPD from a cardiovascular perspective. Page accessed September 16, 2024.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Pulmonary Rehabilitation. Page last updated March 24, 2022.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Foundation. Exercise for Someone with COPD. Page accessed September 16, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Staying Up to Date with COVID-19 Vaccines. Page last updated September 11, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Seasonal Flu Vaccine Basics. Page last reviewed March 12, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pneumococcal Vaccine Timing for Adults. PDF last updated September 12, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Summary of Risk-based Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations. Page last updated September 12, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  RSV Vaccine Guidance for Older Adults. Page last updated July 31, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. COVID-19: How to Protect Yourself and Others. Page last updated July 12, 2024.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Taking Steps for Cleaner Air for Respiratory Virus Prevention. Page last updated March 1, 2024.
Wallick C, To TM, et al. Impact of antiviral therapy on short- and long-term outcomes of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease after influenza infection. Influenza Other Respir Viruses. 2023;17(12):e13231. Published 2023 Dec 13. 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Page last reviewed October 13, 2023.

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