Managing COPD

• Healthy eating tips
• Easy breathing exercises
• Taking your medicine

Tips for managing your COPD

If you have COPD or another lung problem, there are simple things you can do to feel better.

Eating healthy foods, doing breathing exercises and taking your medicine each day can help you breathe easier and stay strong.

Here are some tips to help you care for your lungs.

Healthy eating tips

Eating healthy foods can help you breathe better and fight infections.

Some people with COPD use more energy just trying to breathe, so good nutrition matters.

Here are easy eating tips:

• Eat many kinds of foods
  Try fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and dairy.
• Choose foods that are easy to make
  Save your energy. Make extra food and freeze it for later.
• Eat your main meal earlier in the day
  It may help you have more energy.
• Eat 4–5 small meals
  Big meals can make you feel too full, which may make it harder to breathe.
• Avoid foods that cause gas
  These can include fried foods, apples, beans, broccoli and cabbage.
• Use less salt
  Salt can make your body hold on to extra fluid, which makes breathing harder.
• Limit caffeine
  It may make you feel shaky and may affect some medicines.
• Drink plenty of fluids
  Fluids help keep mucus thin so it is easier to clear.
  If you have a heart problem, ask your doctor how much you should drink.
• Use your oxygen during meals (if you use oxygen)
  Eating takes energy, and your body needs oxygen for that.

Easy breathing exercises

Breathing exercises can help you feel less short of breath. Here are three types.

Purse-lip breathing exercise

1. Sit in a chair with your head supported.
2. Breathe in slowly through your nose.
3. Purse your lips like you are going to whistle.
4. Breathe out through your mouth slowly.
5. Try to breathe out longer than you breathe in.
6. Repeat.

Belly breathing

1. Lie on your back with your knees bent.
2. Put one hand on your belly and one on your chest.
3. Breathe in through your nose. Your belly should move out.
4. Breathe out slowly through your mouth.
5. Keep your lips pursed as you breathe out.
6. Stop and rest if you feel dizzy.

Coughing exercise

1. Sit in a chair with both feet on the floor.
2. Lean your head forward a little.
3. Breathe in slowly and deeply.
4. Try to hold your breath for 3 seconds.
5. Keep your mouth slightly open and cough twice.
6. Repeat.

Taking your medicine

Taking your COPD medicine every day can help you breathe easier.

Your medicine may come as pills, liquids or inhalers.

Not everyone takes the same medicine because everyone’s lungs are different.

Tips for taking your medicine

1. Take your medicine at the same time each day.
2. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor says so.
3. Keep taking it even when you feel good.
4. Use the same pharmacy for refills.
5. Pick up refills at least one week early.
6. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you need help picking up medicine.
7. Do not take less medicine to save money.
8. Do not take someone else’s medicine.
9. Call your doctor if you have questions.