How do I manage my chronic obstructive pulmonary disease on a daily basis?

If you are newly diagnosed, or have been living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), chances are you may be feeling anxious or depressed, or are experiencing some strong emotions such as anger or confusion, and no doubt you have many questions.

Your doctor and healthcare team can work with you to create a plan to manage your condition, including ways to stay active. Another important goal is reducing your stress and calming your anxiety -- which may improve your ability to breathe easier. Ask your healthcare team if your community has a pulmonary rehabilitation program where you can receive exercise and nutritional counseling while learning strategies for better breathing and coping with your condition.

It's important to work with your feelings and any underlying dynamics that will either support good health or set you back.

Having a condition that can make it hard to breathe, like COPD, presents daily challenges -- both physically and emotionally. For your treatment and life-style change program to be successful, don't put too much pressure on yourself. Create realistic goals that you can meet. You can always add more to your program. The better you feel, the more you will want to do just that. Your healthcare team can provide you with the information and support you need to keep your lungs and airways as healthy as possible.

Healthy lifestyle change, through nutrition and diet, exercise and physical activity, and stress reduction, can make a huge difference in the quality of your life. Having COPD can take a lot of energy, so you must learn new ways to conserve and restore yours. Getting enough sleep, and learning to rest if you get short of breath or very tired, will help keep you on track toward better health.

If you have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a few simple steps can help you manage your symptoms and slow damage to your lungs. Quit smoking and avoid secondhand smoke that can exacerbate lung damage. Control your breathing and keep your airways clear of mucus. Regular exercise and a healthy diet will help you maintain an ideal weight and improve the strength and endurance of your lungs. Regular doctor visits to monitor your lung function will help you stay in control of your COPD.