COPD & Me – Seven Things to Know

COPD Support Ireland has launched a new information guide called 'COPD & Me'. We are delighted to share an excerpt from this. Read on to find out more.

1. Be Symptom-savvy.

Remember the “ABC” of COPD.

“A” is for Age. Are you 35 years and over?

“B” is for Breathlessness. Are you experiencing ongoing shortness of breath?

“C” is for Cough. Have you a cough that won’t go away, with or without phlegm? If so, you should visit your GP and ask for a spirometry test. If you have COPD, it is best to start treatment as soon as possible before your lungs become significantly damaged.

2. Be Risk-averse.

The main cause of COPD is tobacco smoking, with 90 per cent of people with COPD having smoked at some point in their lives. If you smoke, there are supports that can help you to stop. If you are based in Ireland, you can check out quit.ie, Freephone 1800 201 203, or text QUIT to 50100. Other risks include exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution, inhaling dusts, chemicals or fumes in the workplace, and exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke, over many years. Genetic conditions such as Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency, can also be a risk.

3. Be Proactive.

If you have COPD, ask your GP to refer you to your nearest pulmonary rehabilitation programme provided in your local Integrated Care Hub by the HSE. This covers everything from exercise to nutrition, from coping with breathlessness to using oxygen. With the support of your healthcare team, draw up a COPD self-management plan. Make sure that you are using your inhalers correctly. Know your medicines and always make sure that you have enough and don’t run out. Keep up-to-date with your flu, pneumococcal and COVID-19 vaccines. Learn breathing exercises to help you relax and breathe with less effort.

4. Be Mindful.

Look after your mental health. Be aware of unhelpful thinking and focus on things you can control. Use distraction techniques, such as watching TV or reading a book, to take your mind off things. Practice visualisation and think of something calming, like relaxing on a secluded beach, for five to ten minutes. Try progressive muscle relaxation involving tensing and then relaxing the muscles in your body. Keep a journal. Writing things down will help you organise your thoughts and let go of your worries. Ask your GP about counselling and a referral to Counselling in Primary Care (CIPC) in one of 240 centres across Ireland.

5. Be Pumped.

Try to undertake regular physical activity and join an exercise class provided by your local COPD Support Ireland support group – there are 47 groups dotted around the country. While you may worry that exercise may make you breathless, the less you do, the less you are able to do. Weaker muscles need more oxygen to work, resulting in greater breathlessness. A good goal is to exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week, and this can include housework, gardening or playing with the grandkids. Exercise, done safely, is one of the best things that you can do to strengthen the breathing muscles so you breathe easier, as well as improve your overall health.

6. Be Alert.

For some people, smoke, smog or dust makes it harder to breathe. For others, changes in weather such as cold spells, heat and humidity can cause breathing problems. Keep an eye on air quality alerts and the weather forecast. Use unscented cleaning products, avoid wearing perfume or using aerosol sprays, and turn on the kitchen fan when cooking. Know what is usual for you and monitor your symptoms for early warning signs of a flare-up. Be familiar with your COPD self-management plan which will let you know what to do when you are feeling unwell. In the event of breathlessness, try not to panic – start pursed-lip breathing, and use your reliever inhaler if needed. If these do not resolve things, seek medical help.

7. Be There.

You can play your part in supporting someone living with COPD. Ask how you can assist and reassure the person with COPD that you are there for them. While some tasks may take longer, do let the person do as much as they can. Offer to exercise alongside them. Know what to do when they are unwell. Have a code word, for example, “red”, for when things are really bad and help is needed.

To download or order a copy of COPD & Me: an essential guide to living with COPD, visit www.copd.ie

 This content was reproduced with the permission of COPD Support Ireland.