Guide: Caring for yourself after a COPD flare-up
Guide: Caring for Yourself After a COPD Flare-Up
If you went to the emergency room (ER) because your COPD got worse, it’s important to know how to care for yourself at home and when to get more help. Follow these steps to stay safe and feel better.
What to Do at Home 🏠
Here are some things to help you recover after leaving the ER:
- Follow Your Provider’s Instructions: Take your medicines, like inhalers or antibiotics, exactly as told.
- Quit Smoking: If you smoke, now is the time to stop! Avoid places with smoke, dust, pollution, or strong smells. These can make it harder to breathe.
- Call Your Regular Provider: Let your provider know you went to the ER and schedule a follow-up appointment.
When to Call Your Provider 📞
Call your provider if you notice:
- It’s harder to breathe than usual, even when resting.
- Your cough gets worse or is new.
- You’re coughing up more mucus than normal, or it looks different.
- You feel weaker or more tired than usual.
Your doctor can help adjust your treatment to manage these changes.
When to Go Back to the ER 🚑
You need emergency help if you:
- Can only say 1 or 2 words at a time because of trouble breathing.
- Have to stay sitting up to breathe or can’t lie down.
- Feel so tired from breathing that you are sweating or struggling.
- Cough up more than a teaspoon of blood.
- Have chest pain or signs of a heart attack, like pain spreading to your arms or jaw, sweating, or feeling dizzy.
Not Sure What to Do?
If you’re unsure whether to call your doctor or go to the ER, many health insurance plans offer 24-hour nurse hotlines. The nurse can ask questions about your symptoms and help you decide what to do.
Take Steps to Feel Better 🌟
Managing COPD means staying ahead of your symptoms. Always keep your medicines with you, avoid things that make breathing harder, and check in with your provider regularly. Taking small steps every day can make a big difference in how you feel.
You’ve got this! Stay in touch with your provider and take care of yourself. 💙
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