It’s simple to recognise the early symptoms of COPD. Some of the most common
ones include –

• Occasional shortness of breath/breathlessness, especially after exercise

• Long-lasting or recurrent cough

• Mucus (phlegm) production

• The above symptoms worsen with time. If not treated early, COPD may cause breathlessness while doing simple tasks such as getting dressed, eating, and even fixing a meal. Sometimes, breathing takes an extra effort and you may find that you’re constantly losing weight and getting weaker.

There’s no single test for COPD. It is possible to diagnose COPD during the early stages, by taking a detailed history about smoking or continuous exposure to other forms of fumes/smoke/irritants, symptoms, physical examination and lung function test
called spirometry.

So, if you find that these symptoms haven’t left you in a while, it may be time to pay your doctor a visit and get the problem identified and treated, so you can help repair the damage to your lungs.

How do you get COPD?

Unlike many other breathing problems, you’re not born with COPD. So, it’s completely possible for you to protect yourself against it. It’s something that you suffer from because you have been exposed to some factor that causes COPD, for extended periods of time.

Most people who have COPD, have at least some history of smoking. Though smoking is the most common cause of COPD, continuous exposure to harmful particles/irritants from other forms of smoke and fumes can also increase the risk of developing COPD. Chemical or cooking fumes, dust, indoor or outdoor air pollution, and second-hand smoke in poorly ventilated surroundings are some of the other causes of COPD.

Over time, breathing in tobacco smoke or other harmful particles irritates the airways and affects the lungs’ stretchy fibres.

COPD is most common in people older than 40, because it usually takes years for the lung damage to cause symptoms of COPD.

COPD doesn’t have a cure, but it does have treatments that can help you keep it under control; and just because you have COPD that does not mean you cannot lead a full life. With the right medication, a proper diet and lifestyle changes you can manage COPD easily.

• Say no to smoking

If you’re a smoker, stop smoking. This is the single most important lifestyle change you need to make. Staying away from smoking, no matter how long you have had the habit, helps reduce the damage to the lung tissues. Now, there are products that can help you to quit smoking. Your doctor can tell you about these.

• Avoid other lung irritants

Apart from smoking, there could be other factors that are irritating your lungs such as second-hand smoke, chemical fumes and dust, which should be avoided.

• Take the right medication regularly

Medications can reduce symptoms and cut down on flare-ups. COPD medication helps the airways in 2 ways – widening them and reducing the swelling. All the latest medication for COPD are highly effective, and they help improve your quality of life. Most of the medicines are available in an inhalation form – as inhalers are safer. One needs to take the medication regularly (as the doctor prescribes) to control the symptoms.

Sometimes, COPD can cause the oxygen levels in the blood to drop. Before you start getting tense about it, this phenomenon can be easily tackled with supplemental oxygen.

• Vaccines

People who have COPD are more likely to get lung infections, so you may need to get a flu vaccine every year.

COPD requires proper treatment and management. To keep it under control and manage it effectively, you need to follow your doctor’s advice thoroughly.

While the symptoms of COPD sometimes improve after a person stops smoking and takes the medication regularly, they can further improve after attending pulmonary rehabilitation. The symptoms may not entirely go away, however, with proper treatment and lifestyle changes you can continue living your life to the fullest.

• Active lifestyle

Activities such as walking or yoga can help strengthen your respiratory system, which basically means you can breathe better.

There are no specific dietary restrictions for controlling COPD, however, it is important to follow a wholesome diet for your overall health. Moreover, with a healthy diet and regular exercise, there’s no reason for COPD to cause you more trouble.

• Rehabilitation program

Often, a pulmonary or lung rehabilitation program can help guide you on managing your problem, by providing counselling on how to breathe easier, exercise and eat well.

• Be prepared

Ensure that you always have emergency contact information in a place where you can access it. It might even be prudent to stick a copy of your emergency numbers, medicines and doses in a place you frequent regularly – like the refrigerator, and your phone.

If breathing becomes difficult, go to your doctor or to a hospital immediately, as it could be an emergency.

It can be a relief to talk to others who understand – join the Breathefree community and talk to thousands of people who have conquered their breathing problems.