By: Stephanie Fruitman, RN
COPD & YOU
A GUIDE TO
BETTER
LIVING
N512-21A'
Symptom control for COPD
Pursed lip breathing – Pursed lip breathing helps get more
oxygen into your lungs and carbon dioxide out of them. It will
help relieve shortness of breath.
Breathe in slowly through your nose for 2 seconds with your
mouth closed. Then, pucker your lips like you are going to
whistle and blow out slowly and gently for 4 seconds. Always
breathe out longer than you breathe in. Do this for 5-10
minutes at a time to help breathe more easily.
(Clevelandclinic.org, 2023)
Inhalers – You may get one inhaler to use every day, and
another one when you are having a really hard time breathing.
The daily inhaler helps reduce swelling in your lungs and the
“rescue” inhaler can be used if you are having trouble
catching your breath. Ask your doctor or nurse to show you
how to use them correctly. (McCance & Huether, 2019)
One of the most important steps you can take, is to stop
smoking. The chemicals in cigarettes can further damage your
lungs and may make the medications you are using not work
as well. (lung.org, 2023)
Oxygen therapy is sometimes used based on how advanced
your COPD is. This would mean having either an oxygen tank
or a piece of equipment in the house with the small tubes,
called a nasal canula, that blow air in your nose. It can help
improve your symptoms, organ function, and ability to stay
active. (lung.org, 2023)
