More than medication

Taking control

Help yourself continue to take an active role in your treatment by keeping informed. Don't be afraid to ask your doctor questions about COPD or your treatment. You can also use books, magazines, and online resources to learn more about COPD and stay up to date with new developments in medicine and treatment options.

Embracing change

If you smoke, your number one priority is to quit - this is the most effective treatment for COPD, and the only way to slow the damage to your lungs. Research has shown that quitting smoking is essential for putting off the symptoms, disability, and eventual death from COPD.

What quitting can do for you

Remember, quitting at any point will help you improve your health. It may help you to breathe more easily and if your symptoms of COPD are mild, stopping smoking may be all that is needed to improve them.

And if you have bronchitis you'll notice after you've quit smoking that your everyday cough and phlegm will improve and may clear up altogether.

Quitting smoking may seem a daunting task after many years of being addicted to tobacco. But there's plenty of help at hand to support you through the tough time. And nowadays there are some very effective products to help you overcome the cravings for a cigarette.

Don't forget, it's also important to avoid other people's smoke and smoky environments.

See more on quitting smoking.

What happens when you quit

As soon as you quit smoking your body begins a series of changes that can continue to improve your health.

What happens when you quit smoking

Short term

• 20 minutes after quitting, your heart rate decreases.
• 12 hours later, the carbon monoxide level in your blood (increased by smoking) tends to drop to normal.
• After 2 weeks to 3 months, your heart attack risk begins to drop, and your lung function begins to improve.
• 1 - 9 months after quitting, your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.

Long term

• After 1 year, your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
• 5 to 15 years after quitting, your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker.
• At 10 years, your lung cancer death rate is reduced to about half that of a smoker. Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
• At 15 years, your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker.

More healthy lung tips

• Ask your doctor to recommend breathing exercises you can do in your spare time - at home, in the car, anywhere. You can truly make the most of your time.
• Limit outdoor activities during the afternoon and evenings when ground-level ozone is at peak levels.
• To guard against mould, invest in a high-quality ventilation system for your home. Use an outside-vented fan in bathrooms and a dehumidifier in other high-humidity rooms. Clean places where mould likes to grow, such as old flowerpots and shower curtains.
• Follow all instructions for using home chemicals such as spray paint and paint strippers. Use them only in well-ventilated areas, replace lids on solvent containers securely, and dispose of saturated rags in a sealed container.
• Burning fuel - including firewood, oil, natural gas, kerosene, and coal - releases pollutants. Install carbon monoxide detectors, check to see that your fireplace is in good working condition, have your central heating system inspected annually, and make sure that gas appliances work properly and are vented to the outdoors.

Taking exercise

If you have COPD, physical activity is essential for helping you manage your condition and get the best out of life. Regular exercise will help to strengthen your heart and lungs, and improve your breathing.

When even minor exertion leaves you feeling breathless, it might be tempting to think that doing less is the answer. But the less you do, the less efficient your heart and lungs become at getting oxygen to the muscles. You then have to work harder to perform routine daily tasks.

While exercise can't cure COPD, the right type of exercise can have all kinds of beneficial effects on your body and mind - as well as helping you breathe a little easier.

So what's the best form of exercise? It's one that you can perform without exacerbating your COPD. That might mean starting with some gentle mobility work and a small amount of walking. It doesn't matter how little you do to begin with - anything is better than nothing, and you will be surprised how quickly you can increase the amount that you do.

Aerobic exercise should be top of your to-do list because it improves your ability to use oxygen efficiently by building up a healthy heart and circulation. Aerobic exercise means activities of low to moderate intensity that get your heart rate up and leave you feeling slightly breathless and warm. It's best to focus on lower body activities such as walking and cycling - but it doesn't have to be 'official' exercise at all, it could be washing the car, vacuuming the house or raking the garden. Or why not join a walking group or dance class?

But before beginning any type of exercise routine, have a word with your doctor to make sure the exercise you choose is safe for you. If there are reasons that prevent you from doing certain types of exercise, your doctor can advise on possible alternatives that may suit you better.

And remember - it's got to be fun! After all, if you don't enjoy it, you're not likely to keep up with it.

Alternative approaches

Your doctor may advise you to join a course involving physiotherapy, dietary advice, and help with quitting smoking if you need it, as well learning to cope with breathlessness. You’ll also take part in supervised exercise sessions tailored to your individual needs, and you’re also bound to gain support from other people with the condition. Normally the programme lasts about six weeks, at the end of which you should feel much more confident about dealing with your COPD symptoms.

1. Physiotherapy

   Physiotherapy can help to clear excess mucus and reduce your phlegm. A physiotherapist will be able to teach you exercises to do at home.

2. Steam inhalator or humidifier

   You may find it helps to use a steam inhalator at home to help clear mucus and phlegm and help breathing.