Know the Signs
You will want to recognize how you feel on a “normal” day or how you feel when your COPD is under control. When you know how you feel on a “good” day, you may be able to recognize when your COPD is getting worse.
A COPD exacerbation or flare up is a sudden worsening of symptoms. These signs or symptoms are worse than your normal symptoms and may last 2 days or more, may get worse and do not go away. You may be able to manage flare ups with medicine and rest. However, flare ups or exacerbations may also be serious, and you may need medical attention.
Talk to your healthcare provider about other signs or symptoms of a COPD exacerbation or flare up. You should work with your healthcare provider and have a personalized COPD Action and Management Plan. The action plan should include the steps to take when your COPD is under control, if your COPD symptoms are getting worse and when to seek immediate medical attention.
Avoid COPD Triggers
A COPD trigger is a thing, activity or condition that makes your COPD worse. Understanding which triggers make your COPD worse, then creating a plan to reduce or avoid these triggers are an important step toward COPD control. You can work with your healthcare provider to recognize, reduce or avoid these triggers.
Each person may have different triggers. Your COPD management plan should include the COPD triggers that you should avoid.
The most common COPD triggers include:
Recovering from a COPD Exacerbation
Having a COPD exacerbation or flare up can be scary. Some COPD exacerbations may be treated at home with medications and rest while more serious or life-threatening exacerbations may require you to go to the hospital. Whether you went to the hospital or treated your COPD exacerbation at home, there are steps you can do to aid your recovery.
Reviewed and approved by the American Lung Association Scientific and Medical Editorial Review Panel.
Page last updated: July 19, 2024