How to stick with your COPD treatment plan

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is a progressive lung condition that can cause shortness of breath, chronic cough, fatigue, and wheezing.

Proper COPD management often requires a three-pronged approach that includes prescription medications, supportive therapies like pulmonary rehabilitation or supplemental oxygen, and lifestyle changes.

If the thought of trying to maintain three lines of treatment at once sounds overwhelming, that’s understandable. The good news is that you’re not alone: Working with your healthcare provider (HCP) to develop a plan that suits your needs can empower you to take charge of your health and tackle the challenges posed by COPD.

Benefits of COPD treatment

There’s no cure for COPD. But there’s plenty you can do to manage your symptoms and prevent your condition from getting worse. The three-pronged approach to COPD management offers a variety of benefits to your health.

Medication

First and foremost, taking your medication as prescribed is essential. Some medications are intended to treat a COPD flare—in other words, to help relieve symptoms right away. Other medications work more slowly over time to help keep symptoms at bay.

Regardless of which medications you’re prescribed, following your COPD treatment plan as directed can help you:

• Improve COPD symptoms
• Enjoy everyday activities
• Prevent future COPD flares

Additional therapies for COPD

Programs like pulmonary rehabilitation can help empower you to take charge of your health and manage any negative emotions you may be feeling about your diagnosis. Many pulmonary rehab programs have a social support component that puts you in touch with other patients. This can help you to connect with others who understand what you’re going through and share tips for living with and managing COPD.

If your HCP recommends oxygen therapy, sticking with it can help you stay active, feel more comfortable and boost confidence, which can help you feel better overall.

Making changes to your everyday life

Lifestyle changes also play an important role in managing COPD. Quitting smoking, exercising regularly and doing what you can to reduce the risk of infections (such as getting your flu shot every year) can help you breathe easier. They can reduce COPD flares and further improve your quality of life, as well. Your HCP will also determine whether you may benefit from dietary supplementation to help maintain your energy levels.

The risks of uncontrolled COPD

If you don’t follow your COPD treatment plan, you’re putting yourself at an increased risk of developing more frequent, worsening symptoms—and potentially very serious health issues.

COPD is related to a number of health complications, from respiratory infections, to lung cancer, to issues with your heart and depression. The risk for developing these complications goes up when you don’t take steps to properly manage COPD.

Quitting smoking is an essential part of your treatment plan for a reason. The main cause of COPD is smoking, and cigarette smoke can cause an existing case of COPD to worsen more quickly. It’s never too late and always important to quit smoking, as it can help slow the progression of the disease and prevent the loss of lung function. If you’re having trouble quitting, talk to your HCP about smoking cessation aids that may help.

Most importantly, if left untreated, COPD can cause serious, long-term disability and even death. COPD is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.

Thankfully, many of the worst outcomes of COPD can be avoided by following your COPD treatment plan.

Overcoming treatment obstacles

In many cases, the three-pronged approach to COPD management can be a lot for one person to keep track of on their own. So, don’t be afraid to speak up if you need help staying on top of it all. Start with these tips:

Learn how to properly administer your medication

Many COPD medications are designed for you to breathe directly into your lungs. This is usually accomplished with the use of a device like an inhaler or a nebulizer. What makes things complicated is that there are various types of these devices available, and each works slightly differently. If you don’t know how to use yours properly, you may not be getting the full dosage you need. It’s important to consult your HCP every step of the way if you need help integrating your medication into your daily life.

Ask questions

Since COPD is a progressive disease, you may need to adjust your treatment plan over time. As a result, new questions may crop up. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification on how to properly manage your condition at any time during treatment.

Schedule regular checkups

These visits give you a chance to discuss how well you’re managing with your HCP. Let your care team know if you’re experiencing any new or worsening symptoms or if any daily activities have become increasingly difficult to complete. If necessary, your HCP will make tweaks to your treatment plan that can help you feel better.

Stick with the plan

It’s important to remember that you need to stay on top of your COPD treatment at all times. The goal is to get you feeling and living better. But even if you start feeling better, you need to continue taking your medication as directed so that it offers its fullest benefit. It’s crucial to avoid skipping doses or stopping altogether without your HCP's signoff, as doing so can worsen your COPD.