1. Therapy adherence: the reminder you can’t miss
This is the number one rule: take your prescribed medications every day exactly as directed. With a chronic condition, it’s easy to forget or lose motivation to stick to daily treatment: share your medication schedule with your caregivers so they can help you remember, and set reminders on your phone to keep you on track.

2. It’s not enough for you to quit smoking: it’s even better if everyone around you does too.
You already know you need to quit smoking. However, it’s important that those around you support you in this challenging goal. Cigarettes should not be allowed in the house to avoid temptations, and your environment should be smoke-free to prevent exposure to second-hand smoke. In short, it’s easier to quit smoking when it’s a decision shared by everyone.

3. Physical activity: it doesn’t take much to breathe better
During your daily activities, you may feel short of breath. It’s uncomfortable, but the worst thing you can do is avoid physical activity. Try to stay active as much as possible, climbing stairs or walking for 20 minutes a day, at a comfortable pace. Remember, breathing through pursed lips can help you catch your breath, and taking your prescribed COPD medication can ease the discomfort. However, if shortness of breath worsens or doesn’t improve, consult your doctor: he will recommend a personalised rehabilitation program.

4. Diet: tell me what you eat, and I’ll tell you how you breathe
In COPD, being underweight increases the risk of mortality compared to being overweight, and even compared to mild obesity. Therefore, maintaining a healthy diet should become a habit for someone with a chronic condition. Doctors typically recommend having 3-4 meals a day. If you’re not feeling well, try spreading your daily intake over 5-6 smaller meals. If you feel full quickly, avoid drinking water during meals and focus on staying hydrated throughout the day. If you’ve lost weight unintentionally, ask your doctor if you need a special diet.

5. There is no vaccine for COPD, but it’s important to get vaccinated
COPD is always at risk of flare-ups, so as the saying goes, it’s better to prevent than to treat more than you already do. You have the opportunity to do so. With a chronic condition, you are eligible for free protection against certain viruses that could worsen your health (such as the flu, pneumococcus, RSV, and shingles).

6. How is comfortable staying at home when it’s cold outside…
Your home environment can also affect your COPD. We recommend keeping the temperature in your home between 18-22°C and paying special attention to humidity (ideally 40-60%), which you can maintain using a humidifier or a bowl of water on the radiator. Make sure to ventilate your home by opening the windows for a few minutes to refresh the air. Also, be cautious with the cleaning products you use: avoid strong chemical products like polish and paint, as they can irritate your airways.

7. Summer is here, but COPD remains: what behaviours should be adopted?
The heat and summer humidity can worsen the feeling of shortness of breath, especially for those with COPD. To manage this, follow simple precautions, such as going outside during the cooler hours of the day, avoiding direct sun exposure during the hottest part of the day, and wearing light, comfortable clothing. If you have air conditioning at home, make sure the temperature difference is no more than 5°C lower than outside, and ideally, it should not be lower than 24°C.

8. On vacation, is the beach or the mountains better?
In general, it’s better to choose the cooler climate of the mountains, taking advantage of the lower ozone levels in the air to reduce its pro-inflammatory impact on the airways. The countryside is also a good option, while the beach is best visited when the heat isn’t too intense. For cityscapes, it’s advisable to plan them during milder seasons, like spring or autumn.

9. With COPD, you can fly: just know how to manage it
With COPD, it’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before planning a trip, especially by air. The air in the cabin contains less oxygen than what we breathe normally, and a lower oxygen level in the blood can cause discomfort and health risks during or after the flight. To prevent this, oxygen therapy might be necessary during the flight, even for those who don’t usually need it. To determine this, there’s the induced hypoxia test or flight suitability test. If oxygen therapy is needed, you will need to contact the airline, as some provide therapeutic oxygen, often for a fee, while others allow passengers to bring their own portable oxygen concentrator.

10. Feeling down? Talk to your doctor about it
Patients with COPD have nearly a 60% higher risk of disease flare-ups if they suffer from depression or anxiety, conditions that contribute to an unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, poor diet, inactivity). If a person has low self-esteem and becomes withdrawn, it’s not always just due to the lung disease; it’s important to care for the mind as well, following the advice and any treatments recommended by a specialist.