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COPD, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, is a condition caused by damage to the airways or other parts of the lung that blocks airflow and makes it hard to breathe. Learn who is at risk for COPD, what symptoms to watch for, and how the disease affects the lungs. COPD can cause coughing that produces large amounts of a slimy substance ...
Short-acting bronchodilators last about 4 to 6 hours. If your COPD is moderate or severe, you may need long-acting bronchodilators that last about 12 hours or more. You take these every day. If your COPD is severe or your symptoms flare up often, your provider may prescribe a combination of bronchodilators and an inhaled steroid.
Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a condition that raises your risk for lung and other diseases. AAT is a protein made in your liver to help protect the lungs. If your body does not make enough AAT, your lungs are more easily damaged from smoking, pollution, or dust from the environment. This can lead to COPD or bronchiectasis, another ...
The doctor may also recommend COPD medications to treat the COPD flare-up. Take notes on any new COPD medications the person you care for is given. Practice how to use new COPD medication with a healthcare provider. Recognize the signs of a COPD flare-up: • an ongoing or more severe cough; • a cough that produces a lot of mucus; •
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) gets worse over time. Quitting smoking slows the progression of the disease. It’s the best way to live better with COPD. Not smoking is a key part of your treatment plan — like taking prescribed medicines, eating well, being physically active, and getting vaccines. Quitting is hard, but it’s ...
1) QUIT SMOKING. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do to prevent more damage to your lungs. Ask your provider about new options for quitting. Many resources to help are available online. Visit smokefree.gov; lungusa.org; or call 1-800-QUIT NOW for more information. 2) AVOID EXPOSURE TO POLLUTANTS.
Why Are Vaccines Important? • COPD causes airways to swell and become blocked with mucus, which can make it hard to breathe. Certain vaccine-preventable diseases can also increase swelling of airways and lungs. The combination of the two can lead to pneumonia and other serious respiratory illnesses, even if the condition is mild and symptoms ...
Researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health have found that dual bronchodilators – long-lasting inhalers that relax the airways and make it easier to breathe – do little to help people who do not have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but who do have respiratory symptoms and a history of smoking.
It answers five questions most COPD caregivers face at some point in their experience. Some sections may apply to you more than others, so you can start wherever you’d like, based on your needs. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find some useful forms and checklists to help you prepare for doctor visits, track medications and vaccinations ...
medications can help people with COPD manage daily details. Taking precautions. Make sure windows and doors are secure to keep potential allergic triggers from invading the home environment. Paying bills. The cost of COPD is high and many people need help managing their finances. They also need help staying on top of bills. THE COPD CAREGIVERS ...