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Chest Information and Support > Common chest conditions > Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) > Managing your COPD

Managing your COPD

As well as the medical treatment of COPD there are lots of things you can do to manage your COPD and live an active life.

"With self management I have a better understanding of my condition and am now able to cope with it in a more positive way"

Monitor your symptoms and know when to get help
Reduce your risk of getting a chest infection
Make sure you are using your inhalers correctly
Stop smoking
Keep as active as you can
Eat healthily
Try to maintain a healthy body weight
Learn how to manage your breathlessness
Do your chest clearance exercises regularly
Practise relaxation techniques
Be aware of your environment

One of the most important things is to learn about what symptoms are ‘normal’ for you and how to recognise if things are getting worse.

Don’t ignore the warning signs - If you think you are having a flare-up, get help!

Prompt treatment can stop you becoming very unwell and needing hospital treatment.

To find out more about how you can help to keep yourself well, see the CHSS booklet Living with COPD (PDF).