Did you know that having a moderate COPD exacerbation increases your chances of having future exacerbations?1 Also, if you have pre-existing heart disease or other risk factors for heart issues, you are more likely to have a heart-related event within a month or so of having a COPD exacerbation.2 That is why it is VERY important to pay attention to how you are feeling and not ignore changes in symptoms.
It is part of the normal course of COPD to have some days that are better than others. Because of this, you might be asking yourself, how do I know if I am having a flare-up? Talking to your health care provider is the best way to be sure what is going on, but there are some things that you can look for that are common to many people with flare-ups. These things can give you a clue that something is not normal.
Are your symptoms worse or different than usual?
- Are you experiencing increased cough or shortness of breath?
- Are you seeing changes in the color, thickness, or amount of mucus that you are producing?
- Do you have a fever?
- Are symptoms lasting longer than your normal day-to-day changes?
- Are you having unexplained tiredness that lasts more than a day?
- Are you using your short-acting medications more often than usual? Are they not working as well as usual?
If the answer to any of those questions is yes, reach out to your health care provider. Many people wait until they are feeling really sick before they contact their health care team. This can result in a hospital stay that could have been avoided if they had reached out sooner. Some people hesitate to contact their provider because they feel like they are being a bother, or they worry that they will feel silly if there is nothing majorly wrong. From a health care provider standpoint, we would much rather you reach out and there be nothing majorly wrong, than have you wait and become really sick. You are not bothering your health care team. When in doubt, check it out!
While we can’t always avoid every flare-up there are a few things that you can do to help keep yourself as healthy as possible.
- Wash your hands with soap and water to stop the spread of germs.
- Eat a balanced diet and stay hydrated.
- Take all your medication exactly as directed.
- Wear a mask when you are around a lot of people or are in crowded spaces.
- Avoid being around sick people.
- Stay up to date on all your vaccinations.
- Listen to your body and rest when needed.
- Watch for changes in symptoms and do not wait to contact your health care team.
- Have a written plan, like the COPD Foundation’s My COPD Action Plan (now available in multiple languages).
To learn more about exacerbations and how to help avoid them check out the COPD Foundation’s Guides for Better Living (available in multiple languages). You can also visit our YouTube channel and take a look at our resource videos covering COPD Flare-up, and Feeling Your Best With Bronchiectasis: Symptom Management Webinar. You can also download a copy of My COPD Action Plan by scanning this QR Code.
What are some things that you have found helpful in recognizing and avoiding exacerbations? Let’s Chat!
References:
1. Meeraus WH, Mullerova H, El Baou C, Fahey M, Hessel EM, Fahy WA. Predicting Re- Exacerbation Timing and Understanding Prolonged Exacerbations: An Analysis of Patients with COPD in the ECLIPSE Cohort. Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis.2021;16:225-244. Published 2021 Feb 5. doi:10.2147/COPD.S279315
2. Kunisaki KM, Dransfield MT, Anderson JA, et al. Exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Cardiac Events. A Post Hoc Cohort Analysis from the SUMMIT Randomized Clinical Trial. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2018;198(1):51-57. doi:10.1164/rccm.201711-2239OC