Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Discharge Instructions

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is also called COPD. It is a lung illness. With this, air is blocked from coming out of your lungs as you breathe out. The lung is damaged and slowly loses its function. This makes breathing hard. There is no cure and it often gets worse over time. There are drugs you can take and things you can do to make it better. Smoking for a long time is often a cause of this illness. COPD includes: Damage to the air sacs of the lungs. This is emphysema. Swelling and irritation in the large airways of the lungs that will never fully go away. This is chronic bronchitis.

Make breathing easier,Help decrease coughing,Lower swelling in your airways,Prevent infection,Help you stop smoking

Lung infections,High blood pressure,Heart problems,Anxiety and low mood,Lung collapse,Fluid in the lungs

Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum, or change in color of sputum.,Breathing is getting worse: harder or faster than before or you feel like you are getting less air,You need to lean forward when sitting to help you breathe,You are using your rib muscles to help you breathe. You see the skin between your ribs going in as you breathe.,Often have dizziness or headaches,Feeling extra sleepy or confused,Fingertips, fingernails, skin, or lips are blue,Health problem is not better or you are feeling worse

Adult,Emergency Medicine,Respiratory,Therapy (Occupational, Physical, Speech, etc)

Bronchitis,Bronchitis, Chronic,Chronic Bronchitis,Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease,Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease,COLD,COPD,Emphysema,Emphysema, Chronic,Obstructive Airways Disease,Pulmonary Disease,Small Airways Disease

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider’s advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.

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