Have you heard any myths about COPD?

This post was authored by Kristen Szymonik, BS, RRT, AE-C

November is COPD Awareness Month! This means that many in our community are stepping up to share education and raise awareness about chronic lung disease. There is a lot of great information out there about COPD, unfortunately, not all of it is true. In honor of COPD Awareness Month, we are diving into some common myths about COPD. Do any of these sound familiar to you?

What other myths have you heard about COPD? Share them below and let's talk more about living well with COPD! For continued learning, be sure to make use of our Downloads Library to learn more about medications, treatment options, exacerbations, and other COPD-related topics.

1. "COPD is an elderly person's disease."
   While it is true that many people aren't diagnosed with COPD until later in life, those early warning signs of COPD can be present in young people. Early diagnosis and treatment can help to stop the disease from getting worse over time. If you have any symptoms of COPD, including cough, shortness of breath, increased mucus production, or unusual tiredness, be sure to see your health care provider and get tested for COPD.

2. "COPD is only caused by smoking."
   Smoking is just one of the causes of COPD. COPD can also be genetic, which means that it runs in families. It can also be caused by exposure to chemicals, different types of smoke, and pollution. Some veterans have COPD due to exposures to different chemicals and substances during their tours of duty. Infections in childhood can also cause COPD.

3. "I was just diagnosed with COPD, and now my life is over."
   Living with a chronic condition like COPD can be overwhelming at times. But it is important to know that no one has an expiration date! While COPD is a progressive disease that can become worse over time, there are ways to slow that progression. If you make healthy changes in your life, stay active, take your medications as prescribed, and avoid people who are sick, you can prevent flare-ups (exacerbations) and live well with COPD. For tips on how to stay healthy in your COPD journey, check out our Tips for Living Well with COPD flyer.

4. "Now that I finally feel better while taking this steroid inhaler, I must not need it anymore."
   This couldn't be further from the truth! It can take time for inhaled corticosteroids to build up enough in your system to start relieving your symptoms. Once you start to feel better, it is important to continue taking it so your symptoms don't start increasing again.

5. "If I have COPD, I'm going to need to use oxygen all the time."
   While some people with COPD need to use oxygen during both day and night, other people with COPD don't need to use oxygen at all. There are many myths about oxygen use in COPD. Watch this video to learn more about the most common ones.
6. "You can't exercise if you are short of breath due to COPD."
   Exercise is an important part of treating COPD. Staying active and adding small amounts of exercise to your day can help to improve your stamina and reduce your shortness of breath. Health and wellness programs like pulmonary rehabilitation can help you increase your activity in a safe way. Ask your health care provider if pulmonary rehab is right for you. You can learn more about exercising with COPD in our Exercise Guide, and explore our CIRCLES workbook for activities you can try at home. Be sure to check with your health care provider before trying any new activities or exercises.