10 Tips for Living Better with COPD

Practice pursed lip breathing and coordinated breathing to help move air into and out of your lungs.

Wash your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water. Cough or sneeze into your elbow area or a tissue. Don’t touch your nose and mouth until you’ve washed your hands.

Clean breathing equipment often and carefully, following the item’s cleaning instructions.

It’s a good idea to get an influenza vaccine every fall and the vaccine series against pneumococcal pneumonia as recommended. Vaccination against COVID-19 should be up to date.

Practice deep coughing or huff coughing to help clear mucus out of your lungs so you can breathe better.

Eat five to six small, well-balanced meals a day, along with a snack with the appropriate number of calories. Avoid low-calorie foods.

Eat protein, vegetables and fruit with each meal. Do not skip meals. Have a snack mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Avoid high fat or high sugar foods and drinks. Increase your physical activity.

Regular exercise can improve your heart, lungs and muscles, and it can help you breathe easier and feel better. Try walking, doing water aerobics or riding a stationary bike.

Giving up smoking and avoiding other dusts and environmental exposures like smoke from forest fires is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Ask your doctor about ways to quit and use these tips from our tobacco cessation experts.

Follow your doctor’s action plan for taking medicines, using oxygen as prescribed, getting enough sleep and rest, and watching your symptoms. Call your doctor when you have questions.