Uncontrolled asthma can lead to emergency room visits, hospitalizations and even premature death, according to allergist Myron Zitt, MD, past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (ACAAI).

If you have <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/asthma-respiratory-problems/article/video-different-types-asthma">asthma</a>, it is critical that you take your medication as directed, see your pulmonologist regularly and avoid allergy triggers to ensure you don&#39;t struggle to breathe. Here are some common missteps to avoid:

Not taking your symptoms seriously 
If you have symptoms more than two days a week that cause you to reach for your fast-acting relief inhaler&mdash;or find yourself waking up at night wheezing&mdash;see your doctor to discuss other asthma control options, such as inhaled corticosteroids, which may help address the airway inflammation that occurs with asthma.

Ignoring allergies 
<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/asthma-respiratory-problems/article/video-how-common-allergic-asthma">Allergens</a> are an asthma trigger for many people, and Zitt recommends undergoing allergy testing to learn what sparks a reaction and gain guidance in avoiding these allergenic triggers.

Not using your medication preventatively 
Patients who are prescribed a daily medication for asthma must take their medication every day. Yet when symptoms appear to be under control, some patients may skip doses or forget doses. Unfortunately, non-adherence to a treatment plan can lead to poorly controlled symptoms. Zitt stresses that it&#39;s always best to take your medicine regularly to prevent attacks rather than waiting until your symptoms hit and then trying to deal with them.

Not using your inhaler properly 
Many asthma patients do not administer the medication from their inhalers properly, which means they aren&#39;t getting the full benefits of the medicine, Zitt admits. &quot;Using inhaled medication requires instruction and practice to learn how to get it into the lower airways,&quot; he explains. Your doctor or pharmacist can review the technique with you. If you can&#39;t get the timing right, inquire about using an inexpensive device called a spacer, which may make the process easier to coordinate.

Not having a current asthma action plan in place 
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute guidelines indicate that doctors should give each patient with asthma an individualized written plan. The plan should spell out the patient&#39;s triggers, his or her control medications and dosage, the warning signs that an <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/asthma-respiratory-problems/article/video-what-is-asthma-attack">attack</a> is impending and detailed directions on how to respond, such as increasing inhaler frequency, using a nebulizer or taking an oral steroid.

Not taking care of your health 
Part of controlling asthma is staying healthy. Take precautions to avoid getting sick. Get your annual flu shot as well as a pneumococcal vaccine, wash your hands frequently and steer clear of germy places. If you do become ill, you&#39;ll need to be on the lookout for asthma symptoms and respond by increasing your asthma medicines according to your asthma action plan.

Not working with your healthcare provider 
Understanding asthma and working as a team with your healthcare providers is vital to managing asthma. The good news is that with proper planning and communication, asthma can be managed.

Medically reviewed in May 2018.

7 Mistakes That Sabotage Asthma Control

Allergic asthma is a type of asthma where symptoms are triggered by contact with allergens, and it is the most common type of asthma. Watch Chandler D. Patton, MD, discuss the symptoms and management of allergic asthma in this video.

Medically reviewed in May 2018.

What Is Allergic Asthma?

Asthma comes in a variety of different types. Watch pulmonologist Harish Murthy, MD, discuss how allergies, infections, cigarette smoking, exercise and acid reflux can all cause asthma.

Medically reviewed in December 2020.

What Are the Different Types of Asthma?

Genetics and the environment are two causes of asthma, says <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/doctor/dr-clifford-bassett">Clifford Bassett, MD</a>. In this WisePatient video, he discusses those and other culprits.

Medically reviewed in April 2018.

What Causes Asthma?

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are both common conditions. While exact numbers are hard to pin down, it is estimated that 25 million adults and children in the United States have allergic rhinitis and another 25 million have asthma.

While they are different conditions, there is overlap. Many people who are diagnosed with <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/asthma-respiratory-problems/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-asthma">asthma</a> also have allergic rhinitis, and the most common type of asthma is allergic asthma, where allergens act as triggers for asthma symptoms.

What are allergies? 
An allergy is an immune system reaction to a harmless substance. Normally, the immune system reacts to get rid of germs and heal injuries. You sneeze to rid your nasal passages of germs. Your eyes water to keep harmful particles out. A sprained ankle swells as the area is flooded with fluid and white blood cells. All of these things are appropriate immune responses.

With an allergy, your immune system reacts to things that normally do not trigger any kind of immune response. People are allergic to all sorts of things, including foods, bites and stings from insects, materials and medications. Anything that causes an allergic response is called an allergen.

Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal membranes that results from allergic reactions. Its symptoms are what we typically call &ldquo;allergies,&rdquo; and include nasal congestion, sneezing and irritated eyes, as well as a sore or scratchy throat, coughing, hives and headaches. Common allergens for allergic rhinitis include pollen, mold spores, pet dander and <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/allergy/article/eliminate-dust-mites-stop-sneezing">dust mites</a>. You may also hear allergic rhinitis referred to as seasonal allergies, hay fever or indoor and outdoor allergies.

What is asthma? 
Asthma is a chronic condition in which the lungs and the airways&mdash;the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs&mdash;become inflamed. This inflammation causes the airways to spasm, and also causes an excess amount of mucus that blocks the airways. This makes it difficult to breathe normally.

Wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and feeling out of breath or shortness of breath are all symptoms of asthma. These symptoms can range from mild to severe. An asthma attack (also called an exacerbation or a flare-up) occurs when asthma symptoms become severe.

Asthma can be triggered by a variety of things&mdash;physical exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke and stress can all trigger asthma symptoms. Many people have more than one asthma trigger.

How are asthma and allergies connected? 
The most common type of asthma is <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/asthma-respiratory-problems/article/how-manage-allergic-asthma">allergic asthma</a>; approximately 60 percent of people who are diagnosed with asthma have allergic asthma. With allergic asthma, allergens trigger asthma symptoms. This includes skin and food allergens as well as allergens like pollen, pet dander, mold and dust mites.

Though they are different conditions, both allergic rhinitis and asthma are inflammatory disorders, and both involve similar immune responses in the body. It is common for people diagnosed with asthma to also have allergic rhinitis, and allergic rhinitis is a risk factor for developing asthma.

If you have symptoms of allergies, asthma or allergic asthma, or have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, it&#39;s important to work with your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan to address your symptoms.

It is also important to understand that conditions like these can change over time and increase your risk for things like sinus infections, bronchitis and pneumonia. See your healthcare provider anytime you start to experience new symptoms, your symptoms worsen or your symptoms are not responding to treatment.

Is It Asthma, Allergies or Both?

Did you know half of all asthma cases are related to allergies? Learn more from Robin Miller, MD, in this video.

Medically reviewed in May 2018.

The Link Between Allergies and Asthma

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic respiratory condition where breathing becomes difficult due to a diminished function of the lungs and airways. It occurs in two main forms: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. With emphysema, the elastic tissue that aids exhaling air, as well as the walls between the tiny air sacs in the lungs, become damaged and no longer function properly. With chronic bronchitis, the walls of the bronchial tubes become inflamed and thickened, and produce excess mucus. Most people with COPD have a combination of these two conditions.

Tobacco smoking is the leading risk factor for COPD, and the majority of COPD cases are attributable to cigarette smoking. However, there are other risk factors, including genetics and exposure to <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/health-society/article/pollution-kills-millions-each-year-finds-study">pollution</a>, fumes and chemicals, and there are people with COPD who have never smoked. Some research also suggests that excess bodyweight and a lack of physical activity are associated with COPD symptoms.

The research looked at self-reported data taken from more than 113,000 participants in the National Institutes of Health-AARP Diet and Health Study, which began in 1995. While none of the participants reported COPD-like symptoms at the start of the study, 3,648 participants reported having COPD symptoms in the follow-up years between 1996 and 2006. The researchers discovered that obese people&mdash;as measured by <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/wellness-healthy-living/article/can-you-be-overweight-and-healthy">body-mass index (BMI)</a>&mdash;accounted for a greater percentage of those who reported COPD symptoms than did slimmer people.

How could COPD, a disease of the lungs, be associated with being overweight or obese? Carrying excess weight can impact breathing and exacerbate the symptoms of respiratory conditions, including COPD. Obesity can also contribute to inflammation, according to Gundula Behrens, PhD, a researcher in the department of epidemiology and preventive medicine at the University of Regensburg in Germany and co-author of the study. Cells in the immune system secrete proteins called cytokines, and one type of cytokines, known as pro-inflammatory cytokines, cause an inflammatory response in the body.

&quot;The fat tissue that is most active in the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines is visceral fat, which is found in the <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/obesity-overweight-condition/article/bad-body-fat-omentum-definition-causes-prevention">abdomen</a>,&quot; Behrens says. &quot;Those pro-inflammatory cytokines circulate through the body, and increased levels of those cytokines may stimulate COPD-related processes in the lung.&quot;

If you have been diagnosed with COPD, there are a number of steps you can take to slow the progression of the disease. At the top of this list is to quit smoking (if you smoke, and you haven&rsquo;t already quit). Exercising and adopting a healthy diet can also help. Speak with your healthcare provider about pulmonary rehabilitation&mdash;a treatment program that utilizes exercise, counseling, nutrition and breathing techniques to help people with respiratory illnesses improve lung function, manage symptoms and improve quality of life.

How Being Overweight Affects COPD

If you feel short of breath while exercising, or you&rsquo;re prone to fits of coughing, you may be wondering if asthma or COPD could be to blame. Asthma and <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/copd/article/what-you-need-know-copd">chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)</a> are often confused or lumped together because they share some of the same symptoms.

&ldquo;Both conditions cause wheezing and shortness of breath,&rdquo; says <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/doctor/dr-nicholas-roy">Nicholas Roy, DO</a>, a pulmonary, internal medicine and critical care specialist from Lourdes Health System in Camden, New Jersey. &ldquo;But not everyone who wheezes has asthma, nor do they necessarily have COPD&mdash;it takes a little more investigating to figure out which condition it is.&rdquo;

Here are some key similarities between the two conditions and how to tell them apart.

What are asthma and COPD? 
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that often appears during childhood. It may be reversed over time, but many people have <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/asthma-respiratory-problems/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-asthma">asthma</a> for life. &ldquo;It causes airway tightening, inflammation and constriction in the lungs. The small airways actually narrow, leading to shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing,&rdquo; says Dr. Roy.

These symptoms become especially severe during asthma attacks. Asthma attacks may be brought on by a number of <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/asthma-causes/causes-of-asthma">triggers</a> such as allergies, exercise, irritating fragrances and lung infections. Attacks can be life threatening, but they&rsquo;re usually treatable at home with rescue inhalers like albuterol.

&ldquo;COPD is a group of chronic lung diseases, which are almost always caused by&nbsp;smoking and don&rsquo;t typically appear until after age 40. These diseases include chronic bronchitis and emphysema,&rdquo; says Roy.

<ul>
	<li>Chronic bronchitis is an ongoing cough, which produces large amounts of mucous.</li>
	<li>Emphysema involves the damage and scarring of tiny air sacs in your lungs, called alveoli. When alveoli are destroyed, it&rsquo;s harder for your lungs to take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide.</li>
</ul>

There are treatments for COPD, but there&rsquo;s no known cure. Many of the same triggers that cause asthma attacks could also lead to COPD exacerbations, or symptom flare-ups. Exacerbations can be serious and require a hospital stay; with each flare, COPD tends to become a little worse.

Are COPD and asthma diagnosed the same way? 
Some of the same tests are used to diagnose both asthma and COPD. For example, your lung specialist will ask about your symptoms, listen to your heart and lungs and have you to complete a pulmonary function test (PFT).

A PFT involves taking a deep breath, and then exhaling as long and hard as you can into a special tube. The tube is attached to a computer, which measures your lung strength and capacity, or the amount of air you&rsquo;re able to exhale. If you don&rsquo;t score well on your PFT, your doctor will give you an inhaled medication to help open up your airways, and then let you redo the test. People with asthma typically score better after taking the medication, while those with COPD show little or no improvement.

Your lung specialist may also order blood tests, as well as a chest X-ray to determine if another condition like pneumonia could be causing your symptoms.

Are both conditions preventable? 
COPD is largely preventable since smoking causes 80 percent of cases. You can&rsquo;t prevent asthma, but you can limit the number of attacks you experience by:

<ul>
	<li>Avoiding triggers</li>
	<li>Getting your annual flu shot</li>
	<li>Taking your daily, or maintenance inhalers</li>
</ul>

Smoking can&rsquo;t cause asthma, but it can trigger attacks, make it harder to fight lung infections and increase your risk of developing COPD. &ldquo;People with asthma are actually more likely to damage their lungs with cigarette smoke,&rdquo; says Roy. &ldquo;It puts them a slightly higher risk for COPD than the average person.&rdquo;

Can asthma cause COPD? 
Asthma doesn&rsquo;t cause COPD. However, people with severe asthma whose symptoms don&rsquo;t improve with treatment are considered to have a type of COPD. People with poorly controlled asthma as children are more prone to this condition as adults.

How asthma and COPD are treated 
Quitting smoking is the number one treatment for COPD and a key part of controlling asthma symptoms. For help quitting tobacco:

<ul>
	<li>Call the national Smokefree Hotline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800- 784-8669)</li>
	<li>Visit Sharecare&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/quit-smoking">quit smoking page</a> for tips and support</li>
	<li>Reach out to an <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/find-a-doctor/specialty/addiction-medicine">addiction specialist</a> for personalized help</li>
</ul>

Asthma and COPD also share some&mdash;but not all&mdash;medications. &ldquo;There&#39;s often a crossover between inhaler therapies for both conditions,&rdquo; explains Roy. &ldquo;Inhalers include bronchodilators, or drugs that help open up the airways to allow better air flow in and out. Both conditions may also require steroid inhalers, although people with asthma tend to respond a little better to steroid treatments. This is a major reason why that there&#39;s often confusion between the two conditions.&rdquo;

Visit your lung specialist at least once a year to determine which medications are right for you and to update your med list as symptoms change. Individuals with both asthma and COPD often need a combination of inhalers, which may vary from season-to-season or depending on how advanced your condition is. Use Sharecare&rsquo;s <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/find-a-doctor/specialty/pulmonary-disease">find a doctor tool</a> to make an appointment with a lung doctor near you.

Medically reviewed in April 2018.

How to Tell if It's Asthma or COPD

Some of the clues are a little surprising, but if you&nbsp;know what to look for, you&#39;ll be better prepared for your next attack

5 Weird Warnings of an Asthma Attack

Watch Keren Bakal, MD, from Summit Medical Group discuss why having an asthma action plan is an essential part of asthma management, plus her recommendations for her patients.

Taking Control of Your Asthma

Ahhhh, home at last. Time to unwind, kick off your shoes and take a deep breath of . . . pollution?

Yep. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/asthma-respiratory-problems/article/8-ways-to-clean-up-your-indoor-air-quality">Indoor air</a>&mdash;in homes and offices&mdash;can be more polluted than outdoor air. And the average home contains hundreds of sources of worrisome pollutants, from cleaning supplies to carpets.

So how concerned should you be?

Research suggests that you&#39;d have to breathe in unusually high levels of household pollutants for a long time to suffer serious health effects. But if you&#39;re sensitive to chemicals and allergens, even low levels can trigger irritating reactions.

But your home should make you more healthy, not less. Put your pollution radar to the test, and answer these four questions:

1. Pungent formaldehyde can be found in which of these products? (More than one answer may be correct.)

a. Cosmetics and nail polish 
b. Glues and adhesives 
c. Pressed-wood products (plywood, particle board, and medium-density fiberboard) 
d. Foam insulation materials 
e. Mouthwash 
f. Wallpaper 
g. Wrinkle-resistant drapes, linens, and other fabrics 
h. All of the above

The answer is &quot;All of the above.&quot;

While formaldehyde is a &quot;probable&quot; carcinogen, experts say the effect of typical home levels on cancer risk is low. Still, who needs it? And if you or your kids are sensitive to the stuff, you want to clear the air of it.

What you can do:

<ul>
	<li>Buy solid-wood products; antique furniture; glass; or metal, such as stainless steel. (If you do buy pressed-wood furniture or paneling, be sure it conforms to low-emission standards.) Agency stamps that certify such products include ANSI, HPMA, CPA, NPA, HPVA.</li>
	<li>Pass on treated fabrics whenever possible.</li>
	<li>Check personal-care product ingredients for formaldehyde, and toss &#39;em if it&#39;s shown.</li>
	<li>If you suspect levels are high&mdash;your eyes, nose and throat are irritated; you have headaches; you are dizzy and nauseated&mdash;buy a test kit, or have a professional testing company test the air.</li>
</ul>

Related: <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/air-quality/can-plants-reduce-air-pollution">Clean up indoor air with these plants.</a>

2. Which of the following household products is likely to contain other volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or chemicals that become gas at room temperature?

a. Air fresheners 
b. Tap water 
c. Freshly dry-cleaned clothing 
d. None of the above 
e. All of the above

The answer is &quot;All of the above.&quot;

VOC levels vary from home to home and room to room. If you painted a room in the past year, if you bought new carpet or furniture, or if anyone smokes in your house, you&#39;ve inhaled VOCs. In fact, VOCs&mdash;also released by heavily chlorinated tap water and perchloroethylene (PCE) in your just-dry-cleaned sweater&mdash;are two to five times higher indoors than outside.

Related: <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/quit-smoking/article/what-are-you-smoking-chemicals-cigarettes">Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals. Here are a few you could be inhaling.</a>

At high levels, you may feel dizzy, nauseated, tired and uncoordinated. Your ears, nose and throat may become irritated, and you may have a skin reaction. A study of young children suggests that high levels of VOCs in the home may be linked to asthma.

What you can do:

<ul>
	<li>Buy floor models of furniture and appliances that have had time to &quot;off gas.&quot;</li>
	<li>Buy solid-wood, glass, or metal (stainless steel) products.</li>
	<li>Let fresh air in rather than using an air freshener. Weather permitting, open doors and windows, and use fans to bring outside air in.</li>
	<li>Keep temperature and humidity as low as you can while still feeling comfortable; it can help decrease &quot;off-gassing.&quot;</li>
	<li>Do indoor construction and painting when you can vacate the house for a while or when it&#39;s warm enough to open all the windows and doors.</li>
	<li>Buy low-VOC, air-friendly cleaning products, or make your own. (Go to www.cleanaircounts.org for recipes.)</li>
	<li>Use VOC-free or low-VOC paint.</li>
	<li>Store materials with high VOC levels (solvents, most paint) in a garage or shed, not in the house.</li>
	<li>Keep household cleaners tightly sealed when not in use.</li>
	<li>If your dry-cleaned clothes have a chemical odor, ask the cleaner to dry them properly. If it happens again, try a different dry cleaner, preferably one that doesn&#39;t use perchloroethylene. Take cleaned clothes from the plastic wrap, and let outdoor air circulate around them for an hour.</li>
	<li>If your water has a strong chlorine smell, open a window or turn on the exhaust fan when taking a hot shower or bath. Chloroform is a by-product of chlorinated water.</li>
	<li>Have your home tested if you have sensitivity symptoms.</li>
</ul>

3. Radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in America. Where does it come from?

a. Radiators 
b. Fluorescent lighting 
c. Soil and groundwater 
d. Wood-burning stoves or fireplaces 
e. All of the above

The correct answer is &quot;Soil and groundwater.&quot;

Radon, a radioactive gas, is naturally released by minerals such as uranium and radium in well water, soil and rock in certain areas, and by some building materials made from earth or stone.

When radon is in the soil beneath your house, it wafts in through cracks in the foundation, gaps in floorboards and openings around pipes. Once inside, it can build up to dangerous levels. It&#39;s estimated that high radon levels can be found in 1 of every 15 homes in America; in some parts of the country, that number jumps to 1 in 3.

What you can do:

<ul>
	<li>Check the indoor air at the lowest level of your home with a radon test kit. For an additional fee (usually $5 to $25), the kit maker will analyze the results. Or you can have a professional do it.</li>
	<li>Retest every 2 to 5 years or if you do any renovations, put in a new heating system, or install central air conditioning.</li>
	<li>If radon problems are detected, have them fixed promptly by a qualified radon mitigation contractor.</li>
</ul>

Related: <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/chemical-toxins/how-reduce-exposure-toxins">Try these easy ways to reduce your exposure to toxins.</a>

4. Dust mites, pollen, dust, mold, bacteria, insects and animal dander trigger allergic reactions and hay fever-like symptoms in sensitive people. Where do these irritants lurk in your home?

a. Carpets and rugs 
b. Fluffy toys 
c. Beds and bedding 
d. Air-conditioning systems 
e. All of the above

The correct answer is &quot;All of the above.&quot;

These biological bad guys are everywhere, including on pets and in the bathroom.

If you have respiratory complaints; eye, nose and throat irritation; frequent headaches; or feel tired or dizzy, see your healthcare provider for allergy testing.

What you can do:

<ul>
	<li>Dust and vacuum your home, including upholstered furniture, frequently.</li>
	<li>Consider investing in a HEPA-filter vacuum, which improves air quality and reduces allergens.</li>
	<li>Don&#39;t let moisture or humidity build up anywhere. Mold and dust mites flourish in warm, damp environments. If you spot mold, remove it immediately. Try to identify the source of the moisture and fix the problem.</li>
	<li>Use exhaust fans in the bathroom and kitchen to help keep humidity levels low.</li>
	<li>If you use an air conditioner, humidifier or dehumidifier, make sure they&#39;re well maintained and cleaned regularly.</li>
</ul>

Is the Air in Your Home Polluted?

Being proactive goes a long way towards staying healthy and active.

6 Expert Tips for Living Well With COPD

According to the American Lung Institute, more than 16 million people in the United States are affected by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/copd/article/overview-chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease">chronic respiratory condition</a> that makes it more difficult to breathe and makes it more difficult for the lungs to pass oxygen into the bloodstream. The most common symptoms of COPD are shortness of breath, a cough that produces sputum (phlegm), and wheezing and tightness in the chest.

COPD occurs in two main forms: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. With emphysema, the elastic tissue that aids exhaling air as well as the walls between the tiny air sacs in the lungs are destroyed. In chronic bronchitis, the walls of the bronchial tubes become inflamed and thickened and produce excess mucus. Most people with COPD have a combination of the two conditions.

Risk factors for COPD 
Tobacco use (past and present) is the biggest risk factor for COPD, and the risk increases with longer use and greater number of cigarettes per day. Habitual smoking can inflame and damage the linings of the airways in the lungs.

However, around 20 percent of people with COPD never smoked. Other risk factors for the disease include:

<ul>
	<li>Long-term exposure to fumes, chemicals, dust and pollutants in the air.</li>
	<li>A childhood history of respiratory illness and infection.</li>
	<li>Genetics&mdash;COPD runs in families, and a genetic disorder called Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AD) is responsible for 1 to 2 percent of cases.</li>
</ul>

While there is no cure for COPD, there are ways to treat and manage the disease, including medications, pulmonary rehabilitation and lifestyle changes.

Medications to treat COPD 
Bronchodilators&mdash;inhaled medications that open the airways&mdash;are a mainstay of treatment. Patients with mild COPD can use these on an as-needed basis, while those with persistent symptoms may be instructed to use at least one type of inhaler on a daily basis. Glucocorticoids, a type of steroid, are another medication option. Glucocorticoids may be taken on a regular basis with an inhaler, or may be prescribed as pills or injection on a short-term basis when symptoms get bad. Many patients with COPD use a combination of medications. Since COPD can result in low levels of oxygen in the blood, some patients are prescribed oxygen therapy.

Strategic lifestyle changes 
<a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/smoking-treatment/slideshow/guide-nicotine-replacement-therapy">Quitting smoking</a>, and eliminating or reducing exposure to chemicals in the workplace and indoor air pollution from burning biomass fuel (like wood chips, manure and certain types of waste residues), can help keep your COPD from worsening. Patients are encouraged to monitor weather air quality and, depending on the severity of their disease, avoid vigorous activity outdoors or stay indoors during episodes when air quality is suboptimal.

Pulmonary rehabilitation 
COPD patients will benefit from regular physical activity and are encouraged to remain active. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a supervised program that incorporates fitness, breathing exercise, nutrition, patient education and smoking cessation. Social and psychological counseling and support are also an important focus&mdash;patients with COPD are at a higher risk for <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/copd/article/mental-health-hospital-readmission-copd">anxiety and depression</a>.

Nutrition 
Food is another focus of COPD treatment, and nutrition is often a focus of pulmonary rehabilitation programs. Because COPD can make it difficult for a person to eat, and impacts the way the body metabolizes food, many COPD patients end up underweight. Getting adequate amounts of calories and nutrients is important to maintaining energy levels, and is also important to immune function. People with COPD may work with a healthcare provider to follow a special eating plan and may need vitamins and nutritional supplements.

Vaccines 
COPD patients should talk to their doctor about vaccines to prevent illnesses that can worsen COPD. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people with asthma or COPD get an annual influenza (flu) vaccine, and to get vaccinated against pneumonia, whooping cough and shingles.

What You Need to Know About COPD Treatment

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) is an umbrella term for progressive lung diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and refractory asthma. It affects an estimated 24 million Americans, and is a leading cause of death in the United States.

Many people with COPD don&rsquo;t even know they have it. The symptoms, like wheezing and shortness of breath, will worsen over time. COPD makes it harder to breathe and makes everyday activities challenging. There are some <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/copd/article/copd-treatment-options">treatments</a> available like rehabilitation to increase stamina and improve lung function, medication to control symptoms and slow further lung damage and sometimes lung surgery to improve breathing function. Another way to relieve COPD symptoms is through exercise.

How exercise can ease COPD symptoms 
COPD symptoms usually arise once the lungs are damaged. Symptoms may include:

<ul>
	<li>Wheezing</li>
	<li>Tightness in the chest</li>
	<li>Frequent coughing</li>
	<li>Depression and anxiety</li>
	<li>Frequent respiratory infections</li>
</ul>

With COPD, there is a limited amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. Exercising helps strengthen the cardiovascular system&rsquo;s ability to carry oxygen throughout the body and helps make better use of that oxygen. When oxygen flows more efficiently through the body, your COPD symptoms may decrease. Exercising when you have COPD has many benefits:

<ul>
	<li>Reduced blood pressure</li>
	<li>Increased endurance</li>
	<li>Improved muscle tone</li>
	<li>Weight loss or management</li>
	<li>Better sleep</li>
	<li>Improved mood</li>
	<li>Less stress</li>
</ul>

In order to enjoy the benefits of exercising with COPD, you must learn proper breathing techniques and the exercises that work best with your symptoms.

Exercising with COPD: Breathing tips to try 
One of the most important aspects of exercising with COPD is learning to control your breathing. The COPD Foundation recommends exercising with pursed lips: breathe in through your nose, purse your lips like you&rsquo;re blowing out a candle and breathe out slowly.

When exercising, you can also practice <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/breathing-exercise-techniques/what-is-diaphragmatic-breathing">diaphragmatic breathing</a>, in which you use your abdominal muscles to breathe more deeply and help empty your lungs. Once you learn the technique, it can be easier to breathe during workouts and everyday activities. The technique strengthens your breathing muscles and allows more oxygen to enter the body.

If you&rsquo;re working out and feel winded or out of breath, your body needs more oxygen. Stop what you&rsquo;re doing, sit down and focus on slowing your breath with the techniques above. If you often feel winded during exercise, contact your primary care physician to help create a new workout regimen.

Best exercises for people with COPD 
Simple aerobic exercises like walking, biking, stretching, skating, water aerobics and rowing are great for people with COPD. They help strengthen the heart and lungs, and improve the body&rsquo;s ability to use oxygen.

Tai Chi, a traditional Chinese exercise that combines flowing movements, deep breathing and mindfulness, is a good option, too. The practice is considered to be meditative, helps you maintain physical balance, strengthens the core, improves posture and reduces stress. In general, try exercising around 20 to 30 minutes three to four times a week&mdash;work slow and don&rsquo;t jump into something right away. Be sure to warm-up and cool down to avoid injury.

If you have COPD, talk to your primary care physician before jumping into an exercise regimen. When it comes to exercising with COPD, it&rsquo;s best to start slow and work your way up.

How Exercise Can Improve COPD

If your feel your asthma worsens in the summer, you are not alone. There are a few reasons why the heat and humidity of the season may affect your ability to breathe. Find out how summer weather can impact your condition and what you can do to avoid an attack.

Why your breathing is worse in the summer? 
Two types of air pollution may worsen asthma symptoms. One is ground level ozone. On hot days, pollutants from vehicles, factories and other sources mix with heat and sunlight to form smog.

Particles in the air can also affect the ability to breathe. These particles are caused by haze, smoke and dust. Small particles present the greatest health risk to those with asthma, as they are easily breathed in and can become trapped in your lungs.

Even thunderstorms may trigger asthma attacks in some people, especially when the pollen count is high. Pollen spores take in moisture at the onset of a storm before they burst, spreading fine particles that are easy to inhale.

How do you know when air quality is bad? 
The Environmental Protection Agency&rsquo;s Air Quality Index (AQI) measures air pollution around the country. Before heading out, check airnow.gov for the latest forecast in your area.

An AQI over 101 is risky for those with asthma, although you may begin to notice changes in breathing when the AQI is under 100. An AQI above 150 is unhealthy for everyone, although those with asthma are at greater risk for serious health effects.

What can you do on days where the AQI is high? 
If the air quality in your location is high, take these precautions to prevent an asthma attack.

Limit your time outside. Stay indoors during peak sunlight hours, which are 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on typical summer days. Save any outdoor activities for morning and evening.

Avoid exercising outdoors. Switch to an indoor workout. If you had planned a high intensity workout, like running, switch to a lower intensity activity instead.

Avoid exercising near busy roads and highways. Being around traffic or smog is especially dangerous during rush hours.

Keep windows closed. Switch on your air conditioning instead.

Make sure medications are filled and accessible. Keep your inhalers or any asthma medication ready in case you begin to feel the symptoms of an asthma attack.

Discuss an asthma action plan with your doctor. You may need to change medications or plans based on the time of year.

Most of all, if you feel your asthma symptoms are worsening, stop the activity you are doing. Follow your asthma action plan by taking any necessary quick-acting medications or inhalers. Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not get better.

How Air Quality Can Affect Your Asthma

If you get your <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/nutrition-diet/how-much-fiber-each-day" target="_blank">recommended amount of dietary fiber each day</a>, you&rsquo;re one of the elite few. Less than 3% of Americans eat enough fiber. For everyone else, it&rsquo;s time to start getting more. Fiber can help stave off heart disease and stroke, and help prevent or control diabetes. It&rsquo;s good for your waistline, too, since fiber may fill you up and keep your weight down.

Need another reason to get more fiber? A study published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society in 2016 has shown fiber may also help your lungs work better.

Another benefit of fiber 
The study analyzed the data of more than 1,900 men and women in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). The researchers looked at people&rsquo;s fiber intakes and at lung function using a device called a <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/video/sharecare-experts/clifford-bassett/what-is-spirometry" target="_blank">spirometer</a>.

The researchers found that people who ate the most fiber had lung function measurements that were 2.4% and 2.8% better than those who ate the least. They also found that the source of the fiber mattered. Eating lots of fruits, vegetables and legumes was associated with increased lung function, but eating whole grains was not. Other studies, however, suggest that whole grains&mdash;and particularly cereal grains&mdash;are great for lungs, too. One large study of more than 367,000 people published in BMC Medicine in 2015 showed that consuming more whole grains lowered the chance of death from respiratory ailments and several other causes.

How fiber helps 
The study authors think fiber bolsters lung function for two reasons. The first is that <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/eating-and-nutrition-for-diseases/what-foods-reduce-inflammation-body" target="_blank">fiber fights inflammation</a>. Inflammation is a key characteristic of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Fiber helps keep C-reactive protein, a molecule that&rsquo;s a sign of inflammation and that&rsquo;s been linked to worse lung function, in check,

For the second way fiber helps, you have to travel a little south of the lungs. Eating enough fiber changes the mix of microorganisms that live in your gut. This results in more production of short-chain fatty acids, which protect lungs, according to the researchers.

Eat for your lungs 
The good news is that some very healthy ways of eating, such as the <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/video/heart-health/hypertension/what-is-the-dash-diet" target="_blank">DASH Diet</a> and the <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/general-weight-loss-diets/what-is-a-mediterranean-diet" target="_blank">Mediterranean diet</a>, already call for lots of fiber.&nbsp;

Many fiber-rich foods deliver lots of antioxidants, which also have been shown to help breathing. Antioxidants are micronutrients that prevent cell damage. Examples include vitamin C, beta-carotene and selenium.

Fiber doesn&rsquo;t have to mean boring bran. <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/nutrition-diet/foods-high-in-fiber" target="_blank">Foods like these are also packed with it</a>:

<ul>
	<li>Beans</li>
	<li>Artichokes</li>
	<li>Sweet potatoes</li>
	<li>Peas</li>
	<li>Berries</li>
	<li>Apples</li>
	<li>High-fiber breakfast cereal</li>
	<li>Brown rice or quinoa</li>
	<li>Whole-grain pasta and bread</li>
</ul>

Eat More Fiber for Healthier Lungs

Learn about eosinophils, biologic therapies and other key terms.

5 Terms that E-Asthma Patients Should Understand

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a progressive lung disorder that makes breathing difficult, affects more than 16 million Americans and is the third leading cause of death in the United States. In addition to the physical toll COPD takes on the body, research shows that the disease also reduces quality of life and can negatively impact the mental health of patients and their families. Research also shows that COPD patients with psychological conditions have higher rates of hospital readmission.

A study from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston tracked a decade&#39;s worth of hospital admission rates for Medicare recipients with COPD. The data showed that COPD patients with one or more psychological risk factors (such as depression or anxiety) were 5 to 14 percent more likely than other COPD patients to be readmitted to a hospital within 30 days of discharge. The rate of readmission was even higher in patients who had psychological conditions such as <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/diet-nutrition/alcohol-health/binge-drinking-america-health-issue">alcohol problems</a> or psychosis, or who had at least two simultaneous conditions.

The study findings make sense, according to Philip Diaz, MD, professor of medicine and director of the COPD programs at The Ohio State University College of Medicine in Columbus.

&ldquo;It&rsquo;s consistent with some other data that would support that concept,&rdquo; he says, noting that people with any kind of disabling, chronic condition are prone to depression and anxiety. With COPD, this is probably due at least in part to the fear generated by breathing difficulties.

&ldquo;[With COPD] your lung mechanics are such that you have difficulty getting air out,&rdquo; says Diaz, explaining that people with COPD often have trouble exhaling. This may cause them to hyperventilate out of panic and end up calling an ambulance.

&ldquo;What starts as a psychological issue may make a physiological problem much worse.&rdquo; Diaz added that people who are <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/mental-health-behavior/bipolar-disorder/more-than-the-blues">depressed</a> or anxious may be less likely to adhere to treatment plans and medication schedules, which can also lead to symptoms becoming worse and result in the need for hospital readmission.

In Diaz&rsquo;s practice, he likes to enroll COPD patients in pulmonary rehabilitation, also called pulmonary rehab or PR. Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program that works to improve a person&rsquo;s ability to breathe through a number of different approaches. While programs are tailored to the needs of a patient, it can include education about the respiratory system and how it is impacted by disease, as well as training in relaxation techniques, breathing strategies, nutrition and exercise. It can also include psychological counseling and meetings with support groups. Pulmonary rehabilitation is used alongside medical treatments for COPD.

Lung Health