Being diagnosed with COPD may mean changing a few things in your lifestyle so you can live a healthier and active life. It’s best if you talk to your doctor and follow the plan he/she outlines for you. Although the cure for COPD hasn’t been found yet, there are many things you can do to help slow the progression of your COPD.
Below you’ll find information about some of the challenges and changes many COPDers face. You can click on the options in the bulleted list to skip to a specific section. But before beginning a new treatment option, remember to talk to your doctor.
Air Quality in Your Home: It Matters
The air you breathe can have a profound impact on your health, and indoor air can sometimes be more polluted than outdoor air. Since most people spend the majority of their time indoors, the quality of your indoor air is vital to your well-being. There are a variety of actions you can take to improve the quality of the air that you breathe in your home.
The three major threats in a home, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, are allergens, irritants, and dangerous chemicals. Allergens can cause a response from your immune system and they come from pollen, dust mites, and pets. Irritants won’t necessarily cause your immune system to react but can include volatile organic compounds that can make breathing more difficult. Common indoor air irritants include chemicals used in the painting, finishing, or staining of new furniture. Polyurethanes in paints, strong pesticides, tobacco smoke, and chemicals in cleaning products are irritants as well. Sometimes these chemicals have odors that you can detect but sometimes they don’t. Smells coming from new pieces of furniture are often representative of chemicals that are irritating your lungs. Dangerous chemicals include carbon monoxide and radon; though they’re less common, they are still very harmful.
Take steps to purify the air in your home. You can start by talking to your doctor; you may be surprised at their willingness to talk about air quality. You can also:
- Ventilate your home by opening windows and running exhaust fans,
- Prevent smoking in your home,
- Remove clutter (because clutter collects dust!),
- Minimize dust mites by washing your bed linens weekly, lowering the humidity level, and keeping your pets off your furniture,
- Keep your floors and carpets clean,
- Install an air filtration system, and
- Reduce your exposure to household chemicals such as paints, varnishes, and cleaning products.
Visit the Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s website for more tips on how to improve the air quality of your home.
Taking Medicines… Strictly
It is very important for you to follow your medication schedule precisely. This includes following the directions closely, refilling your prescriptions with time so you don’t run out, and seeing your doctor at your regularly scheduled appointment even if you feel fine.
Also talk to your doctor about taking immunizations for the flu and pneumonia. You can look into local pharmacies and grocery stores that may offer these shots for free during the seasons.