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Patient Instructions

You were in the hospital to treat breathing problems that are caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD damages your lungs. This makes it hard to get enough oxygen.

You got oxygen in the hospital to help you breathe better, and you may need to use oxygen at home. Your doctor may have changed some of your COPD drugs during your hospital stay.

Walk to build up strength:

• Ask the doctor or therapist how far to walk.
• Slowly increase how far you walk.
• Try not to talk when you walk.

Walk until it is a little hard to breathe. Ride a stationary bike. Ask your doctor or therapist how long and how hard to ride. Make yourself stronger even when you are sitting:

• Use small weights or rubber tubing to make your arms and shoulders stronger.
• Stand up and sit down several times.
• Hold your legs straight out in front of you.

Know how and when to take your COPD drugs:

• Quick-relief inhalers when you feel short of breath and need help fast. See also: COPD quick-relief drugs
• Long-term inhalers to take every day. See also: COPD control drugs
• Corticosteroids

Eat smaller meals more often. It might be easier to breathe when your stomach isn't full. Try to eat 6 small meals a day. Do not drink a lot of liquid before eating, or with your meals.

Ask your doctor what foods to eat to get more energy. See also: Eating extra calories when you are sick - adults

If you smoke, STOP. Stay away from smokers when you are out, and do not allow smoking in your home. Stay away from strong odors and fumes. Do breathing exercises.

See also: Pursed lip breathing

Having COPD makes it easier for you to get infections. Get a flu shot every year. Ask your doctor if you should get a pneumonia vaccine.

Wash your hands often, and always after you go to the bathroom and when you are around people who are sick.

Stay away from crowds. Ask a visitor with a cold to wear a mask.

Place items you use a lot in spots where you do not have to reach or bend over to get them.

Use a cart with wheels to move things around the house and kitchen. Use an electric can opener, dishwasher, and other things that will make your chores easier to do. Use cooking tools (knives, peelers, and pans) that are not heavy.

Tips to save energy:

• Use slow, steady motions when you are doing things.
• Sit down if you can when you are cooking, eating, dressing, and bathing.
• Get help for harder tasks.
• Do not try to do too much in one day.
• Keep the phone with you or near you.
• Wrap yourself in a towel rather than drying off.
• Try to reduce stress in your life.

Never change how much oxygen is flowing without asking your doctor. See also: Oxygen in the home

Always have a back-up supply of oxygen in the home or with you when you go out. Keep the phone number of your oxygen supplier with you at all times. Learn how to use oxygen safely at home. See also: Using oxygen safely

Your hospital doctor or nurse may ask you to make a follow-up visit with:

• Your primary care doctor
• A respiratory therapist, who can teach you breathing exercises and how to use your oxygen
• Your lung doctor (pulmonologist)
• Someone who can help you stop smoking, if you smoke

Call your doctor if, your breathing is:

• Getting harder
• Faster than before
• Shallow, and you cannot get a deep breath

Also call your doctor if:

• You need to lean forward when sitting.
• You are using muscles around your ribs to help you breathe.
• You are having headaches more often.
• You feel sleepy or confused.
• You have a fever.
• You are coughing up dark mucus.
• Your fingertips or the skin around your fingernails is blue.

COPD - adults - discharge

Anthonisen N. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. In: Goldman L, Auseillo D. Goldman: Cecil Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 88.

Wilt TJ, Niewoehner D, MacDonald R, Kane RL. Management of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review for a clinical practice guideline. Ann Intern Med. 2007;147:141.

Updated by: Andrew Schriber, MD, FCCP, Specialist in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine, Virtua Memorial Hospital, Mount Holly, New Jersey. Review provided by VeriMed HealthCare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.