How do you take care of the lungs in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease in which the patient has difficulty breathing. There are two main forms of COPD- emphysema in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged, and chronic bronchitis in which the airways of the lungs are inflamed.

There is no cure for COPD, but lifestyle changes and medical treatments can help manage the disease.

Patients with COPD can take measures to care for their lungs, improve their symptoms, and reduce the risk of flare-ups. Implementing at least one self‐management strategy with regular visits to a healthcare provider is associated with improvements in the health‐related quality of life. Such self-care was also associated with a lower probability of respiratory‐related hospital admissions.

Caring for your lungs when you have COPD

Prevent exposure of lungs to irritants

The air we breathe provides our lungs with precious oxygen that energizes all the cells in our body. But air is not always clean and people with COPD can be sensitive to pollutants.

Common irritants include:

Tobacco smoke

According to the American Lung Association, 75% of individuals with COPD have a history of cigarette smoking. With each puff, particulate matter and hundreds of chemicals are inhaled into our lungs which can cause a variety of diseases including COPD, lung cancer, and asthma. Quitting smoking is the first step towards caring for our lungs.

However, quitting smoking is not easy because nicotine is a highly addictive molecule. It passes from the smoke to the blood in the lungs and makes its way into various organs such as the liver, the eyes, and the brain. In the brain, it triggers the release of chemicals that make a person feel good, and feel like their attention, power of reasoning, and concentration have improved. Exposure to nicotine over time changes the brain causing addiction.

Speak to your doctor about coming up with a plan to stop smoking. You can also avail free help from CDC’s quitline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW where highly trained quit coaches can guide and support you as you quit smoking.

Industrial or vehicular exhaust

Fumes emanating from the exhausts of some factories and non-electric vehicles are a significant source of air pollution. The particulate matter and the chemicals in the exhaust fumes can irritate the lungs making COPD worse. Avoiding areas of high traffic, stop-and-go traffic, and high levels of air pollution can help protect the lungs. When traveling in a car through areas of high traffic or air pollution, it can be helpful to use air conditioning with the air circulating internally to avoid bringing noxious fumes inside the car.

Dust

Dust can be inhaled and can be an irritant in the lungs. Occupational exposure to dust can increase the risk of developing COPD.

Pollen

If someone with COPD has seasonal allergies, exposure to pollen can make COPD worse. It also increases the risk of a slower recovery from respiratory infections such as RSV or COVID-19. Even in the absence of allergies, the inhaled pollen is particulate matter that can irritate the lungs.

Household fumes from cooking

Cooking in the house generates fumes. People may notice that cooking some foods makes their breathing worse. Avoiding or limiting cooking specific foods and using the kitchen exhaust can help protect the lungs.

Common household irritants

Airborne irritants in a house can include pet dander, dust, and mold. The house should always be kept clean and dust-free to avoid COPD from worsening. However, the method of cleaning must be thought out in advance, as inhaling vacuum dust, airborne droplets of cleaning sprays, and fumes from cleaning solutions can also irritate the lungs. Other household irritants include air fresheners and scented candles.

Cosmetics

Spray-on products such as sunscreens, face mists, deodorants, perfumes, and body sprays release small airborne droplets of the product that can be inhaled. Some chemicals in these products may irritate the lungs.

Exercise regularly

Regular exercise can strengthen the lung muscles making it easier to breathe. After quitting smoking, exercise is possibly the most powerful tool to manage COPD. However, when having COPD, it is important not to do too much too fast. If you are not used to exercise, start slow and gradually increase the time or intensity. Always clear the exercises with your doctor before you start.

Individuals with COPD may also benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that uses multiple facets of health such as patient education, exercise, and diet to help patients take better care of their lungs. This therapy is usually provided in a group setting and the providers include specialists such as doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and dieticians.

Watch out for flare-ups

Once you understand your triggers, watch out for COPD flare-ups, also called COPD exacerbations. The signs of a flare-up can include more coughing than normal, changes in the color, amount, or thickness of the phlegm, being more out of breath than normal, wheezing, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue.

To deal with flare-ups, make a COPD exacerbation action plan with your doctor in advance. Discuss which symptoms need what level of care, so you know which symptoms can be managed at home with medication, and which symptoms should prompt a visit to the doctor.