Managing COPD

Because each person living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may have different symptoms, their treatment may be different too.

Almost everyone will use medication to improve their health. Some may need to keep a close eye on their symptoms every day. And some may need to make lifestyle changes.

Your health care providers can help you understand what avenues for treatment are right for you.

See your health care providers regularly

Managing COPD starts by working with your health care providers to make sure your treatment is the right one. It’s important to keep your providers informed about your health and talk to them about all the different ways you can manage your condition.

If you ever feel like your condition is changing or your symptoms are getting worse, contact your health care provider. You don’t have to wait for your next scheduled visit.

Know the common signs of a flare-up

Keeping an eye on how you’re feeling — and keeping your providers informed — can prevent smaller issues from becoming more serious. This could help you avoid a trip to the emergency room.

Talk to your providers if you experience any of the following:

  • More coughing
  • Changes in the color, thickness or amount of any mucus or phlegm you cough up
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Having a hard time taking a deep breath or feeling more shortness of breath
  • Wheezing or noisy breathing
  • More fatigue or tiredness

Here are some things you can do to get the most from each visit with your provider

Talk about how you’ve been feeling lately, particularly if your condition has changed.

Show your doctor how you’re using your medication and make sure you’re using it correctly.

Ask if you need any vaccinations, especially during cold and flu season — typically October to May.

Tell them what you’re currently doing for your health and any changes you’ve made to your habits or lifestyle.

Ask if you would benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation may be covered by your plan benefits.*

Create a personalized self-management plan

Taking care of your health doesn’t just happen when you’re seeing your health care providers. What you do between your visits is equally as important.

Work with your providers to put together a self-management plan. This plan will help you understand what you should be doing every day to manage your COPD. And if your symptoms suddenly start to get worse — sometimes called a “flare-up” — this plan will tell you what to do.

The American Lung Association has a guide to help you and your health care providers make a self-management plan together.

This guide is broken down into three zones based on how you’re feeling. You can read more about each zone.

Download the Action Plan

Green Zone — You have no COPD symptoms and you feel good.

This is where you want to be every day. Even if you’re feeling well, you want to continue taking any long-term medications or oxygen as prescribed. This will keep you feeling your best.

Yellow Zone — You have more COPD symptoms than usual. Follow your provider’s instructions.

In this zone, you may feel more shortness of breath, tiredness and coughing than you normally do. You may want to limit your activity and follow any instructions from your providers. This may include a quick-relief medicine or starting new treatment.

If your symptoms do not improve, call your provider.

Red Zone — You are having severe COPD symptoms or a flare-up. Seek care immediately or call 911.

Severe shortness of breath or a racing heart rate, even when sitting or lying down. Chest pain. Coughing up blood. Blue or grey color in your lips or fingers. Fever. These are just some signs that can appear with severe COPD symptoms.

Talk to your provider now about other warning signs and make a plan for what to do if they happen.

Is there anyone else we should keep in the loop?

Do you have a friend, family member or someone else helping you manage your health? If so, we can send them information.

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