COPD is a long term condition so it is crucial for you to learn how to manage it by yourself. Self-management helps to know all about your condition, your symptoms, your medication and how to cope with flare-ups. Follow our tips to make your day-to-day life easier.
Understand your condition
It is crucial to understand what COPD is and how it affects your lungs and thus your breathing. Knowing your symptoms and their triggers can help you manage them and reduce them.
Please read the information modules on your moveUP application. You can find the new information modules on your homepage. The previous ones are available by clicking on the “Reread” button as shown below.
Medication
Make sure you know the names of all your medications, dosages and how to take them. If your GP prescribes an inhaler, it is crucial for you to learn how to use it efficiently. In addition, stay up to date with your vaccinations to prevent complication. If you have any question, please ask your health care provider via the moveUP chat.
Change your habits
- Stop smoking is the best thing to do to ease you symptoms.
- Keep active will help you to improve your breathing, fitness and quality of life.
- Eating well will help to control your symptoms by maintaining a healthy weight.
Manage shortness of breath
Breathing techniques can help you reduce your feelings of breathlessness. Do not hesitate to ask your healthcare provider via the moveUP chat to help you find what works best for you.
If you feel breathless, you can try this deep breathing technique :
- Find a position you feel comfortable with, as shown below.
- Relax your shoulders, arms and hands.
- Breathe in through your nose. Breathe out through your mouth.
- Try to relax and feel calm each time you breathe out.
