COPD: Avoiding Your Triggers
Introduction
You can do things at home to manage COPD (chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease). By learning the triggers for COPD and avoiding them, you
can help reduce flare-ups. While some triggers may be out of your control,
there are others you can easily avoid.
Key points
- Learn and avoid the common triggers for
COPD.
- By avoiding flare-ups, you may feel better, be more active,
and reduce the impact of COPD on your life.
- Pay attention to
symptoms that may warn you of a flare-up. You may need to see your doctor or go
to the hospital if your symptoms are severe.
A trigger is
anything that causes your COPD symptoms to flare up or get worse. Triggers
include:
- Illnesses like colds, the flu, acute bronchitis, or
pneumonia.
- Poor air quality, such as
indoor and outdoor air pollution, smoke, or smog.
- Tobacco
smoke.
- Cold, dry air; hot, humid air; or high altitudes.
- Cleaning supplies or other chemicals.
- Gases,
particles, or fumes from wood or kerosene home heaters.
- Not taking
or running out of your medicines.
- Things you are allergic to, such as:
- Pollen, mold,
or dust mites.
- Pet hair, skin, or saliva.
Not all people have the same triggers. What may cause a
flare-up in one person may not be a problem for another person.
Test Your Knowledge
Getting sick with the flu can trigger a flare-up of
COPD symptoms.
- True
This answer is correct.Getting sick with colds, the flu, or pneumonia
can cause your COPD symptoms to flare up or get worse.
- False
This answer is incorrect.Getting sick with colds, the flu, or pneumonia
can cause your COPD symptoms to flare up or get worse.
-
Flare-ups of COPD symptoms are caused by the same
things for everyone.
- True
This answer is incorrect.Not all people have the same triggers. What may
cause a flare-up in one person may not be a problem for another person.
- False
This answer is correct.Not all people have the same triggers. What may
cause a flare-up in one person may not be a problem for another person.
-
Continue to Why?
Flare-ups of COPD can greatly limit your activities. You may even need to
stay in the hospital. By avoiding flare-ups, you may feel better, be more
active, and reduce the impact of COPD on your life.
So it is
important to pay attention to your symptoms. You can tell you're having a
flare-up when your usual symptoms suddenly get worse. For example:
- You may wheeze or be more short of breath than
usual.
- You may cough more than usual. Your cough may or may not
bring up mucus. Or you may notice a change in the color or amount of mucus you
cough up.
- You may have a fever, have trouble sleeping, or feel
very tired. Or you may feel depressed or confused.
With treatment, many people are able to breathe as well as
they did before a flare-up.
Test Your Knowledge
Avoiding triggers of a flare-up can help you stay out
of the hospital.
- True
This answer is correct.When you have a flare-up, you may need to be
treated in a hospital until you can breathe better on your own. So it's best to
avoid anything that triggers a flare-up.
- False
This answer is incorrect.When you have a flare-up, you may need to be
treated in a hospital until you can breathe better on your own. So it's best to
avoid anything that triggers a flare-up.
-
A fever may be a sign of a COPD
flare-up.
- True
This answer is correct.It is important to pay attention to your
symptoms. You can tell you're having a flare-up when your usual symptoms
suddenly get worse. This may include a fever.
- False
This answer is incorrect.It is important to pay attention to your
symptoms. You can tell you're having a flare-up when your usual symptoms
suddenly get worse. This may include a fever.
-
Continue to How?
There are many things
you can do to avoid triggers and stay as healthy as you can.
Avoid triggers in the air
- Quit smoking. This is the most important thing
you can do. Also stay away from other people who are smoking.
- Use
an air conditioner or air filter in your home.
- Cook near an open
door or window, or turn on your kitchen fan.
- If there is a lot of
pollution or dust outside, stay at home and keep your windows closed.
Protect your health
- Get a flu vaccine every year.
- Talk to
your doctor about getting a pneumococcal shot.
- Wash your hands
to avoid infections.
- Eat healthy foods, exercise, and get enough
rest.
- Refill your medicines before you run out.
- Take
extra medicines with you when you travel.
Test Your Knowledge
It is okay for me to be around other people who smoke,
as long as I don't smoke.
- True
This answer is incorrect.It is important to stay away from anything that
causes your COPD symptoms to flare up or get worse. This includes staying away
from other people who are smoking.
- False
This answer is correct.It is important to stay away from anything that
causes your COPD symptoms to flare up or get worse. This includes staying away
from other people who are smoking.
-
Getting a flu vaccine can help me avoid one of the
triggers of COPD.
- True
This answer is correct.The flu can cause your COPD symptoms to flare
up. Getting a flu vaccine can help you avoid this trigger.
- False
This answer is incorrect.The flu can cause your COPD symptoms to flare
up. Getting a flu vaccine can help you avoid this trigger.
-
Continue to Where?
Now that you have read this
information, you are ready to start identifying and avoiding triggers for
COPD.
Talk with your doctor
If you have questions about this information, print it out and take it
with you when you visit your doctor. You may want to use a highlighter to mark
areas or make notes in the margins of pages where you have questions.
Be sure to let your doctor know if you notice changes in your symptoms.
Talk with your doctor about what might be triggers for you. Ask about ways you
can avoid those triggers.
If you would like more information on COPD, the following
resources are available:
Organizations
| American Lung Association |
| 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue NW |
| Suite 800 |
| Washington, DC 20004 |
| Phone: | 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872)
1-800-548-8252 (to speak with a lung professional)
(212) 315-8700 |
| Email: | info@lungusa.org |
| Web Address: | www.lungusa.org |
| |
The American Lung Association provides programs of
education, community service, and advocacy. Some of the topics available
include asthma, tobacco control, emphysema, infectious disease, asbestos, carbon monoxide, radon,
and ozone. |
|
| COPD Foundation |
| 2937 SW 27th Avenue |
| Suite 302 |
| Miami, FL 33133 |
| Phone: | 1-866-316-COPD (1-866-316-2673) |
| Web Address: | www.copdfoundation.org |
| |
The COPD Foundation develops and supports programs that
improve research, education, early diagnosis, and treatment of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). They provide information to people with
COPD, caregivers, and health professionals. |
|
Return to topic:
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Ken Y. Yoneda, MD - Pulmonology |
|---|
| Last Revised | May 4, 2010 |
|---|
Last Revised:
May 4, 2010
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