What’s Included in Chronic Care Management for COPD? 

Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with COPD for years, there are treatments available to help manage its effects on your quality of life.

Our team at Allergy A.R.T.S. in Amarillo, Texas, starts with highly accurate advanced diagnostic technologies to assess the type and severity of your COPD. From there, we develop a customized strategy that helps reduce its impact on your overall well-being.

We’re happy to provide professional insight into the basics of COPD and a few practical tips to help you manage this chronic condition.

COPD basics

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung conditions that make it hard to breathe. COPD types include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and refractory asthma. Each type has a different effect on your body.

For instance, emphysema traps air in the lungs, reducing oxygen availability to the bloodstream. Chronic bronchitis causes mucus buildup in the airways, leading to inflammation and swelling that interferes with normal breathing. Refractory asthma also causes airway swelling and inflammation that are refractory to traditional treatments.

Breathe easier with this practical guide for managing COPD

Managing COPD requires a combination of personalized care plans, patient education, and ongoing support that helps you take charge of the challenges.  

Take these steps today:

1. Schedule a visit

Ongoing specialty care is crucial in managing COPD. During your follow-up visits to Allergy ARTS, our pulmonary specialists monitor disease progression and adjust treatments as needed.

Tailored care plans include medications and lifestyle strategies to alleviate symptoms, reduce the frequency of flare-ups, and prevent complications or frequent hospitalizations.

And because COPD can make infections more serious, we also help you stay up to date on flu shots, pneumonia vaccines, and other preventive care.

Our team also provides ongoing education that empowers you to take a proactive stance in chronic care management while enhancing daily living to achieve better overall health outcomes.

2. Use your medications as directed

If your doctor prescribes inhalers or other medications, make sure to use them at the same time every day and follow instructions carefully.

Additionally, learn the difference between rescue inhalers (used during flare-ups) and maintenance medications (used daily). It may be tempting to skip a dose or more of maintenance meds once you’re feeling better, but these medications are intended to keep you feeling better in the long term.

Always carry your rescue inhaler and use it at the first sign of difficulty. If you ever feel like your medications aren’t working as well as they used to, don’t wait to talk to your Allergy ARTS provider.

3. Adopt healthy habits

Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and exercising regularly, can help slow down the disease's impact.

Staying active while pacing yourself is essential. Exercise might sound intimidating when you’re short of breath, but gentle movement can actually help strengthen your lungs and muscles.

The key is to follow your provider’s instructions and start small. Even a few minutes a day can make a big difference. Just listen to your body and rest when you need to.

What you eat also affects how you breathe. Aim for a well-balanced diet that includes poultry, fish, and other lean proteins. Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins and fiber, while whole grains give you steady energy.

Some people with COPD feel bloated easily. If that’s you, try eating smaller meals more often instead of three large ones. You may also benefit from an anti-inflammatory diet.

3. Learn to breathe

Breathing exercises can help you inhale and exhale air more effectively. Two helpful techniques are:

Pursed-lip breathing

Inhale through your nose, then exhale slowly through puckered lips.

Diaphragmatic breathing

Breathe deeply from your belly, not your chest.

Practicing a few minutes each day can train your lungs to work more efficiently and reduce breathlessness. Many of our patients also benefit from pulmonary rehabilitation, a guided program that helps improve lung function.

Ready to breathe easier?

COPD may change the way you live, but it doesn’t define you. With small steps and appropriate support, you can continue to do the things you enjoy—and breathe a little easier every day.

Schedule a visit at Allergy A.R.T.S. today.