Photo Credit: BCFC / istockphoto.com
4. Take Your Medication as Prescribed
Your lungs will work at peak levels if you take your inhaled beta agonists, steroids and/or anticholinergic medication as recommended, as these drugs help prevent COPD exacerbations. Make sure you see your doctor regularly, as the dosage may need to be adjusted over time. Use antibiotics and other drugs quickly when your doctor gives them for infections or sinus problems.
If your doctor has recommended oxygen therapy, make sure you use it. Studies have found oxygen therapy used for more than 15 hours daily can help manage COPD, and also improve the quality of your life, helping you to live longer and healthier.
When symptoms flare up it can be difficult to breathe. In such instances it may be helpful to use BiPAP for COPD, a machine that assists with breathing.
