COPD

Management Strategies for Patients/Clients

YOU HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT YOU HAVE breath with activity and because of this they may avoid activity.
COPD, NOW WHAT? Avoiding activity results in a downward cycle of less and less
activity which leads to more and more shortness of breath.
WHAT IS COPD?
Shortness of breath
C – “CHRONIC” or long term with activity
O – “OBSTRUCTIVE”, the air passages are partially blocked or
occluded
Less activity to
P – “PULMONARY”, which refers to the lungs avoid feeling
D – “DISEASE” short of breath
More shortness
COPD is a condition that makes breathing more difficult because of breath than
the air passages and air sacs in the lungs have been damaged. The before Muscles become
air passages become partly blocked and the air sacs (like balloons at weaker from lack of
the end of the air passages) have lost their ability to contract down, exercise and need
making it more difficult to push the stale air out of the lungs and more oxygen than
breathe fresh air into the lungs. It is a condition that has developed normal to do work
and worsened over a period of time. Even less activity
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF COPD? • Be sure to get a flu shot once per year
The most common symptoms of COPD are as follows: • Be sure to get a pneumonia shot once in a lifetime
• Shortness of breath as well as increased phlegm production ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO REFER YOU TO THE CHINOOK
• Decreased ability to perform exercise or daily activities due to HEALTH REGION COPD PROGRAM
shortness of breath • At the COPD program you will meet with COPD educators
IS THERE A CURE FOR COPD? who will provide you with information about COPD and how to
live well with COPD. They will work with your doctor to reduce
• No. Once you have COPD it will never go away and may the impact of COPD and improve your quality of life.
worsen over time. However, if you take good care of the lung
capacity you still have, you can preserve and improve your ability • The COPD program provides a supervised exercise program to
to be active without getting winded. help people with COPD get fit, improve shortness of breath and
ability to exercise. You will also receive a home exercise program
WHAT CAN I DO TO STOP COPD FROM GETTING to help keep you fit.
WORSE?
Revised as of June 21, 2005 developed by the BHL/chronic
If you smoke, then you must quit! respiratory/Chinook Health Region

Smoking is the major cause of COPD. By quitting smoking you

can slow the progression of COPD significantly.

The sooner you quit the better!

If you need help to quit smoking, talk to your doctor or phone toll
free the smokers help line: 1-866-332-2322. Remember: It is
never too late to quit smoking!

WHAT CAN BE DONE NOW THAT I HAVE COPD?

• Breathing medications (“puffers”) that act to open up the air
passages can be used to help relieve shortness of breath. Your
doctor will prescribe the right combination of breathing
medications for you.
• Exercising and getting in good shape will improve Reproduced with permission from Boehringer Ingelheim
breathlessness. People with COPD commonly become short of

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Client Checklist for COPD

What to expect at each office visit with your family physician:

Discuss symptoms such as shortness of breath

Discuss current medications and if they are helping symptoms

Physical exam (listening to lungs with stethoscope)

Checking oxygen levels (if oximeter is available)

Discuss smoking (if still smoking)

Review proper inhaler technique

Make or review a written COPD action plan

Tests & Measurements that should be done or discussed on a yearly basis,

or as recommended by your family physician:

Lung function testing (spirometry)

Height and weight measurements

Screening for osteoporosis if using inhaled steroids and you have the following risk factors:
• Age > 60 years
• Postmenopausal state without hormone replacement therapy
• Male impotence or infertility
• Previous fractures with minor trauma
• Family history of fractures (parental)
• Past or current chronic glucocorticoid therapy
• Smoking or alcoholism
• Physical inactivity

Referral to COPD program for education and pulmonary rehabilitation

Vaccinations

Annual influenza vaccine

Pneumonia vaccine (once in a lifetime, or every 10 years)

Ensure immunizations are up to date

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