Living Well with COPD

Learning to manage your condition

If you have a long-term condition, there are extra things you may need to consider including:

• Making changes to your diet
• Different types of exercise
• Different types of medication you may need to take

It is important to stay active and do things that are important to you. Self care involves looking at what you can do and want to do, rather than what you can’t do.

When you talk to your doctor or nurse about your condition, you may want to discuss some of the things you need to do to stay well. Some of these will be things that you can do yourself including:

• Eating healthily
• Exercising
• Taking your medicines at the right time

Read on to find out more or click here to download a pdf booklet

Taking your medication

It’s important to look after yourself if you have COPD and take any prescribed medicine, including inhalers, that you are advised to. If you are unsure what each medication is for, ask when you see your nurse of doctor.

It’s also a good idea to read the information leaflet that comes with your medicine about possible interactions with other medicines or supplements.

Check with your care team if you plan to take any over-the-counter remedies, such as painkillers or nutritional supplements. These can sometimes interfere with your medicine.

Be careful what you breathe

To reduce symptoms of asthma and chances of a flare-up, there are certain things that should be avoided if possible, these include:

• Dusty places
• Fumes, like car exhausts
• Smoke
• Air freshener, sprays or plug-ins
• Strong-smelling cleaning products, unless there is plenty of ventilation
• Hairspray
• Perfume

Staying active

Regular physical activity can help improve your symptoms and general health. If you have COPD ask your doctor or nurse about exercise options.

Ways to get more active

Check with your doctor or healthcare team before you begin. When doing regular physical activity becomes a habit, and you’re looking for new challenges, increase little by little.

• Be realistic about your goals. Set yourself realistic goals that are specific, measurable and achievable.
• Make exercise part of your day. Plan a time to do some physical activity that fits in with the rest of your day and try keeping an activity diary to help monitor your progress and success. If you miss a day, don’t worry, just make sure you start again the next day.
• Keep moving and make it fun! Remember, everyday activities count, so look out for opportunities to be active during the day.  For example, use the stairs instead of the lift, or walk to the local shop rather than taking the car.

Take extra care in cold weather  

Cold spells and periods of hot weather and humidity can cause breathing problems if you have COPD.

It’s a good idea to keep an eye on the weather forecast.

Bradford Encouraging Exercise in People (BEEP)

BEEP is a free physical activity referral service that encourages people who are inactive, to become more active, with a 52 week support programme.

BEEP is also a great way for people living with long term health conditions to increase their physical activity levels safely and improve their health. A trained exercise referral officer will work with you to design a bespoke exercise training programme created specifically for you.

Ask at your local GP practice for a referral to the BEEP service. Your GP, nurse or any other health care professional can complete a referral form for you.

Click here to find out more about BEEP

Eating Well

A healthy balanced diet is important for good health. It should include high fibre foods like wholegrains, oats, beans, lentils, nuts, fruits, and vegetables, which are good for keeping your heart healthy and controlling blood pressure.

Beans, lentils, and nuts are good sources of protein, and oily fish like salmon, mackerel, pilchards, or tuna, can also help to protect against heart disease. Oily fish, as well as nuts, olive oil, and avocados contain good fats that are good for heart health, while high fat foods such as fatty meats, pies, sausages, and ghee, should be limited.

Work and benefits

If you are well enough, it is important to keep working for as long as you feel able. With the right support, staying in work can make you feel better and give you financial security.

• Talk to your employer as soon as you feel that your condition is affecting your ability to do your job so that you can find a solution that suits both of you. For example, it may be possible for you to work part-time.
• The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) requires employers to make reasonable adjustments to working practices or premises to help a person with a disability.
• Before leaving work, check whether there are benefits that you or your family may be entitled to. If necessary, your personnel department or manager should be able to help you make enquiries.

The Equality Act 2010 requires employers to make reasonable adjustments to working practices or premises to help a person with a disability.

Call Disability Advice Bradford: 01274 594 173. (Mon & Tues mornings)

More links to support are available below.