Follow your prescribed treatment

The key is to follow your prescribed treatment everyday. COPD is chronic. To reinforce your lungs in the long term, it is important to follow your prescription everyday, also when you feel good.

Learn how to use your inhalers correctly

Many patients make mistakes with their inhalers. Ask the doctor, the nurse, or the pharmacist to show you the necessary steps with each of your inhalers.

What to do when your symptoms change

• If your symptoms stay the same or decrease, keep on your treatment.
• If your symptoms worsen, use your reliever inhaler.
• If your symptoms still worsen, contact your healthcare center.

Call hotline in case of infection signs

A fever, or chills, sweats, muscle aches, or a change in your respiratory symptoms, may be Covid-19 signs. Call the hotline to receive the appropriate support.

Positions to relieve shortness of breath

To ease your breathing, you can lean your chest forward slightly. Try relax your neck and shoulder.

You can also lie on your side with a pillow between your legs and your head elevated with pillows.

The pursed-lip breathing technique

You can use pursed-lip breathing to calm your breathing.

Put your lips together like to blow out candles on a birthday cake and slowly breathe out through your pursed lips by counting to 4.

The deep-breathing technique

This technique will improve your breathing.

• Breathe in. Let your belly fill with air, feel your belly go outward.
• Hold your breath.
• Breathe out. Let your belly empty, feel your belly go inward.

Exercise everyday at your own pace

Try exercise everyday, at your own pace.

You can walk, stretch, do soft gym, dance, swim,… The more you practice, the more you will be able to do.

Take time to eat and drink

Eat things you like. Take your time to eat well, regularly, and a variety of foods.

Drink plenty of water during the day. Vegetables and fruits are healthy.

Every cigarette you don’t smoke is a win!

If you manage to reduce or even stop smoking, this is a victory!

After a few weeks: your breathing may already improve. After a few months: you may have less coughing.

It is normal to feel anxious

Simple things can help reduce anxiety: sleeping, healthy eating and exercising help reduce stress.

When you feel down, you can call or go see your friends and family.

Full-body medical check-up is important

COPD patients often have comorbidities. For example: hypertension or diabetes.

If this is your case too, follow all your treatments and inform all doctors. Your entire body needs care.