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  5. Living with COPD

Living with COPD

Get tools to help better manage your COPD and enhance your quality of life.

There is no cure for COPD, but it can be managed and treated by working with your healthcare team to develop a plan to keep your COPD under control. Along with quitting smoking, staying up to date with vaccinations, following your treatment plan and regularly seeing your healthcare provider, there are lifestyle changes that can help you stay more active and improve your quality of life.

Free Recorded Webinar

Living Well with COPD

Learn from Dr. Jordan Lee what the latest treatment options are for managing your COPD and hear how Caroline has lived her best life with COPD for over 10 years at our live webinar.
Watch On Demand

Prevent COPD Exacerbations

Learn ways to reduce exposure to triggers that can worsen your COPD symptoms, such as tobacco smoke, lung infections like the flu or COVID-19, and air pollution.

COPD Management Tools

Create a COPD Action and Management Plan with your healthcare provider. This written, personalized worksheet lists the steps to take to manage your COPD depending on how you are feeling.

Get the Most Out of the Foods You Eat

Did you know the food you eat may affect your breathing? Good nutrition may help you breathe easier and help your body fight infection.

Stay Physically Active

When you have COPD, the right amount and type of exercise has many benefits and is an important part of staying healthy.

Cope with Your Emotions

Living with COPD can be tough, and the physical challenges can sometimes affect your mood and emotional health. Emotional support is just as important as protecting your lungs and staying active.

Manage Your Daily Activities

Get tips for conserving your energy during every day tasks such as dressing, bathing and housekeeping so you aren't left feeling tired or short of breath.

Learn about COPD Stages

It's important to understand the four stages of COPD - mild, moderate, severe and very severe - and how to reduce exposure to anything that can worsen your symptoms.

Plan for the Future

It is important to discuss your future medical needs and wishes. Early conversations about supports such as palliative care or end of life care with your healthcare team and caregivers can lessen anxiety about when and how to start these conversations down the road.

Comorbid Conditions

You may have another chronic health condition like asthma, heart disease, diabetes, depression or arthritis that you are also managing. When you have multiple health conditions, it is important that each member of your healthcare team know about all your diseases, so they can find the best treatment for you. 

If you have an underlying lung disease like COPD, you may be at higher risk of infection or developing another lung disease. Learn about the lung-related health conditions that may affect people living with COPD. 

Find Support

An important part of living with COPD or caring for someone with COPD is finding the right support. See where you can find help from others who share common experiences, get tips on paying for care and learn how you can advocate to improve the lives of others with COPD.

Reviewed and approved by the American Lung Association Scientific and Medical Editorial Review Panel.

Page last updated: April 23, 2025

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