Patient Instructions

COPD - what to ask your doctor

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) damages your lungs. This can make it hard for you to get enough oxygen and clear carbon dioxide from your lungs. While there is no cure for COPD, you can do many things to control your symptoms and make your life better.

Below are some questions you may want to ask your health care provider to help you take care of your lungs.

Questions

What will make my COPD worse?

How can I prevent things that can make my COPD worse?
How can I prevent getting a lung infection?
How can I get help quitting smoking?
Will fumes, dust, or having pets make my COPD worse?

What are some signs that my breathing is getting worse and I should call the provider? What should I do when I feel I am not breathing well enough?

Am I taking my COPD medicines the right way?

What medicines should I be taking every day (called controller drugs)? What should I do if I miss a day or a dose?
Which medicines should I take when I am short of breath (called quick-relief or rescue drugs)? Is it OK to use these drugs every day?
What are the side effects of my medicines? For what side effects should I call the provider?
Am I using my inhaler the right way? Should I be using a spacer? How will I know when my inhalers are getting empty?
When should I use my nebulizer and when should I use my inhaler?

What shots or vaccinations do I need?

Are there changes in my diet that will help my COPD?

What do I need to do when I am planning to travel?

Will I need oxygen on the airplane? How about at the airport?
What medicines should I bring?
Who should I call if I get worse?

What are some exercises I can do to keep my muscles strong, even if I cannot walk around very much?

Should I consider pulmonary rehabilitation?

How can I save some of my energy around the house?

Alternative Names

What to ask your doctor about COPD; Emphysema - what to ask your doctor; Chronic bronchitis - what to ask your doctor; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - what to ask your doctor

References

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) website. Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: 2018 report. goldcopd.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/GOLD-2018-v6.0-FINAL-revised-20-Nov_WMS.pdf. Accessed November 20, 2018.

Macnee W, Vestbo J, Agusti A. COPD: pathogenesis and natural history. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 43.

Review Date 11/3/2018

Updated by: Denis Hadjiliadis, MD, MHS, Paul F. Harron Jr. Associate Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.