Smart strategies to avoid COPD flare-ups

Living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) means living with a condition that doesn’t go away. But you can keep it from getting worse. There are steps you can take to breathe well and stay healthy.

Try these strategies to take charge of your health:

1. Quit smoking and avoid smoke

Avoiding smoke is the best thing you can do if you have COPD. If you don’t smoke, avoid secondhand smoke. If you do smoke, quit as soon as you can.

2. Know your triggers  

Smoke is not the only thing in the air that can cause your COPD to flare up. Here are some other common triggers and steps you can take to avoid them.  

• Dust mites: Wash sheets in hot water to get rid of mites.  
• Strong scents: Don’t use perfumes, scented soaps, or cleaners with strong smells.  
• Outdoor heat and exposure to allergens: Extreme temperatures and exposure to trees, grass, weeds, pollen, and mold spores can cause flare-ups. When possible, stay inside when allergen counts and the Air Quality Index are high.

3. Eat to stay strong

Our bodies use calories for fuel. The COPD Foundation notes that some individuals with COPD may require an extra 430 to 720 calories per day, due to the effort required for breathing.  

But not all calories are alike. It’s important to get your calories from nutritious, healthy sources, including the following:    

• Fruits such as watermelon, blueberries, and strawberries
• Vegetables, especially leafy greens
• Whole grains, such as oatmeal and brown rice
• Lean proteins, such as chicken, tofu, turkey, fish, eggs, and nuts
• Low-fat dairy or lactose-free dairy
• Healthy fats, such as olive oil

Before making any changes to your diet, be sure to check in with your provider.  

4. Be active

Take a walk, even if it’s short, and even if it’s inside. You might think that being short of breath is a good reason not to be active. But that leads to being out of shape, which makes it even harder to breathe. Ask your doctor how you can exercise safely.

5. Protect yourself from germs 

Colds and other illnesses are never fun, but they can be even harder on people with breathing problems. Wash your hands regularly and avoid big crowds when an illness is going around. Get a flu shot and ask your doctor if you need a pneumonia vaccine.

6. Practice pursed-lip breathing

If you do experience a flare-up, this simple breathing exercise helps slow down your breaths and improve your breathing patterns. Here’s how to do it:

• Start by breathing in slowly through your nose for two counts, keeping your mouth closed.  
• Then pucker your lips as if you’re about to whistle and breathe out slowly for four counts.
• Repeat until your breathing has returned to normal.

7. Acknowledge and move forward

Having COPD can be a source of many emotions: sadness, guilt, anxiety, and fear. If you’re having a hard time coping, talk to your family, friends, or doctor.