After you’ve been told you have COPD, you may feel overwhelmed. It’s not always easy to hear you’ll have to take medication and make lifestyle changes. You might find it hard to remember what your healthcare provider says or understand his or her instructions. Bringing someone with you can help you remember the information correctly, so can this list. It offers questions you may want to ask—and gives you space to write down the answers. It might make it easier for you to manage your disease.
What does it mean to have COPD?
Will I have COPD for the rest of my life?
Does it still make sense to quit smoking if I already have COPD?
Should I get a flu shot or pneumonia vaccine?
What are exacerbations? How can I avoid them?
How much physical activity can I do?
How do I know if my symptoms are getting worse?
How often should I visit my healthcare provider?
How often can I use my relief inhaler?
Am I using my inhaler the right way?
What kind of medicine should I take for my COPD?
How do I take my COPD medicines?
What does it mean if my mucus is green or yellow instead of clear?
Do I need to follow a special diet if I have COPD?
