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.